Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and human rights advocate, has decided to take legal action against the police for what his legal team describes as “inhumane treatment” during his recent detention.
In a statement released on Saturday, his attorney, Tope Temokun, claimed that police officers broke Sowore’s arm while violently attempting to move him from one cell to another at around 6 am on Friday, August 8, 2025.
The legal team dismissed the police’s official statement, which asserted that Sowore arrived at their facility with a bandage, labeling it as “false, self-incriminating, and illogical.”
Temokun called on the police to release a list of Sowore’s belongings that were confiscated during his arrest as proof to back their claims.
The statement also noted that Sowore was denied access to his own medical team and was instead treated by an unqualified first-aider, without any X-rays or proper diagnosis.
His lawyers explained that Sowore’s refusal to be examined by police medical staff was to avoid “manipulation of evidence” by those accused of inflicting the injury.
Read Also:
- Nigerian Police refutes claims regarding Sowore’s arrest, detention
- Police yield to pressure, releases Sowore after public outcry
- Sowore brutalized by 8 Armed Police Officers at FID Abuja
The legal team criticized the police for overlooking other allegations, such as an officer allegedly stealing Sowore’s Ray-Ban AI glasses, while quickly denying the assault claims.
Temokun argued that Sowore’s decision not to provide a statement, which the police cited as a reason for his detention, is protected by his constitutional rights.
They referenced Section 35(2) of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 60(1) of the Police Act 2020.
“The fact remains unchanged: Omoyele Sowore’s arm was broken while in police custody, under their supervision. We will seek all appropriate legal remedies, including petitions to the Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission,” Temokun stated.
Sowore was released on Friday evening after spending two days in custody.
However, his legal team insists that a “full account” will be demanded from all officers involved.
