Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has resolved to sue the Nigeria Police Force over what his legal team termed “inhumane treatment” during his recent detention.
In a Saturday statement, his lawyer, Tope Temokun, alleged that police officers fractured Sowore’s arm during a violent attempt to forcibly transfer him from one cell to another around 6 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025.
The team rejected the police’s official account, which claimed Sowore arrived at their facility with a bandage, calling it “false, self-indicting, and illogical.”
Temokun urged the police to publish the inventory of Sowore’s possessions seized during his arrest as evidence to support their claims.
According to the statement, Sowore was denied access to his own medical team and instead offered treatment by an unqualified first-aider, without X-rays or proper diagnosis.
His refusal to be examined by police medical personnel, the lawyers said, was to prevent “manipulation of evidence” by those accused of causing the injury.
The legal team also criticised the police for ignoring other allegations, including the alleged theft of Sowore’s Ray-Ban AI glasses by an officer, while quickly issuing public denials over the assault claims.
Temokun argued that Sowore’s refusal to write a statement, cited by police as justification for his detention, is within his constitutional rights.
The team cited Section 35(2) of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 60(1) of the Police Act 2020.
“The fact remains unshaken: Omoyele Sowore’s arm was broken in police custody, under their control. We will pursue all appropriate legal remedies, including petitions to the Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission,” Temokun said.
Sowore was released on Friday evening after two days in custody.
However, his legal team says a “full account” will be demanded from all officers involved.
