Omoyele Sowore regains freedom, accuses Tinubu and IGP of illegal detention after Kuje prison release

Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has regained his freedom after spending four days in Kuje Prison, accusing President Bola Tinubu and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun of orchestrating his illegal arrest.

The fiery publisher of Sahara Reporters shared a selfie video on social media late Monday, October 27, 2025, moments after his release, declaring that no amount of intimidation would silence his advocacy for justice and the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Sowore’s ordeal began during the #EndBadGovernance protests, where he was arrested alongside several activists demanding accountability and Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom. Although a court granted him bail on October 23, he was reportedly re-arrested on fresh incitement charges and transferred to Kuje Prison, where he was detained with Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and lawyer. All three regained their freedom on October 27 after fulfilling new bail requirements.

In his video, Sowore, visibly emotional yet defiant, accused the government of weaponizing the police and judiciary to suppress dissent. “They thought locking me up again would break my spirit,” he said. “But the truth is, this only strengthens my resolve to fight for a better Nigeria.” His statement has since sparked widespread conversation across social media, with supporters praising his resilience and critics questioning the tactics of both the activist and the government.

The incident underscores a growing tension between activists and state authorities, as Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of free speech, police brutality, and civic repression. Human rights groups have condemned Sowore’s repeated detentions as politically motivated, warning that such acts erode public confidence in the justice system.

Meanwhile, the continued detention and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, pending since 2021, remain a focal point of national debate. Analysts argue that the government’s hardline stance on pro-Biafra activism and the clampdown on civil movements like #EndBadGovernance may further inflame public frustration rather than resolve underlying grievances.

As Sowore walks free once more, his release reignites old questions about Nigeria’s democratic space—how much dissent is tolerated, and at what cost. For a man who has faced arrest after arrest in pursuit of reform, it seems his struggle is far from over, and his latest message makes one thing clear: Omoyele Sowore isn’t backing down.