The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, has given details on why human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, is still in detention.
Speaking on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, while addressing protesters calling for Sowore’s release, Shogunle said the activist was being held over two separate petitions filed against him.
“The two petitions against Omoyele Sowore were shown to him right in my presence,” the CP said in a video streamed by Sowore’s SaharaReporters.
“One bordered on forgery of a police document, which he published online, and we all know the position of the law. It is your duty to provide a source of how you came about the forged document. The second petition has to do with cyberbullying.”
Shogunle revealed that Sowore refused to make a statement during interrogation, even with his legal counsel present.
“The two petitions were shown to him in the presence of his lawyers. The issue now is that he refused to make a statement in the presence of his lawyers. It is in the record,” the CP said.
He went on to explain the legal implications of Sowore’s silence, stressing that the law empowers the police to continue investigations in such situations.
“The same law that gives him the right to remain silent also gives the police the responsibility of certain duties to do when somebody who has been alleged of an offence decides not to talk, which you’re also aware of,” Shogunle stated. “And I believe we’re professionals, and I believe the procedure as laid down by the law is being followed.”
The police chief insisted that Sowore’s rights were not being violated. “He has the right to remain silent, and the police also have the duties and responsibilities under the law to follow certain procedures once a suspect decides to keep mute. We won’t say because you have decided to keep mute, you can go, no.”
When questioned by a lawyer on why Sowore was still in custody beyond the constitutionally allowed 24 hours, Shogunle responded, “We are professionals. We are following the provisions of the law. Everything needed to be followed under the law in keeping somebody is being followed.”
He also offered to take a few protesters to see Sowore and confirm that he was not being brutalised while in custody.
Sowore was invited to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit and has been in detention since. His supporters have since staged protests in Lagos, Abuja, Osun, and Oyo states, demanding his release.
The activist recently led a protest for better welfare for retired police officers and made critical remarks about a recent promotion exercise in the Nigeria Police Force.