By Oladipo Oluwatosin and Idris Salau
(For The Brain Magazine)
Inside this report: Police say Sowore was not “re-arrested” but “remanded pending bail perfection.” Another top officer insists it was an “arrest for forgery and cyberbullying.” Nigerians ask: who is lying and what is really going on?
When truth wears two uniforms, confusion becomes the law. The dramatic scene at a Nigerian court involving activist Omoyele Sowore, the police, and conflicting official explanations has once again raised troubling questions about justice, accountability, and transparency.
Was he re-arrested? Was he simply remanded? Or was there another agenda behind the scenes?
As the smoke clears, the nation is left asking: Who exactly ordered the arrest; and why does truth seem to wear camouflage?
The Clash of Narratives
Moments after Sowore’s court appearance, a video surfaced showing him being taken away by officers in the presence of journalists and lawyers. Social media erupted with outrage; headlines screamed “RE-ARREST IN COURT!”
But the Nigeria Police Force, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, swiftly responded, clarifying that Sowore was not re-arrested. According to Hundeyin, he was merely taken to a correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions an act backed by a valid remand warrant.
However, another narrative emerged from CP Abayomi Shogunle, who claimed the activist was arrested over allegations of forgery of police documents and cyberbullying, asserting that Sowore refused to make a statement even in the presence of two lawyers.
Two senior officers, two conflicting stories; one confusing truth. Nigerians are now left asking: Which version holds water, and who is telling the truth?
As a Yoruba adage warns, “When two elephants fight, the ground suffers.” In this case, the ground is the credibility of justice.
The Legal and Moral Quandary
If, as CSP Hundeyin claimed, the action was a lawful transfer to a correctional facility, it would not technically qualify as a “re-arrest.” Yet, such transfers are normally handled by prison officials under court supervision, not through forceful police intervention within court premises.
On the other hand, if CP Shogunle’s claim is true that Sowore was arrested anew for forgery and cyberbullying; then the arrest raises deeper constitutional questions:
- Why was he arrested inside the court?
- Was there a fresh warrant?
- Who issued the order, and why the timing?
If two top-ranking officers give two different legal grounds for one event, the public’s confusion is not just natural, it’s justified.
As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:33,
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.”
When confusion surrounds law enforcement, justice loses its peace and power.
The Fear of Cameras
Part of the public outrage stems from the restriction of journalists and video coverage during the incident. Several officers attempted to prevent cameras from recording the scene.
Yet in advanced democracies, officers wear body cameras by law, not only for transparency but also to protect their own integrity. If the act was lawful, why should cameras be feared?
Jesus said in John 3:20–21,
“He that doeth truth cometh to the light.”
A man confident in truth does not hide from the lens, nor should an institution that claims to uphold justice.
In Nigeria, however, the sight of a journalist with a phone camera often provokes hostility. As the Hausa saying goes, “The man who fears light may be nursing darkness.”
What This Means for the Justice System
Beyond Sowore, this incident reveals a deeper sickness in Nigeria’s justice system — where the judiciary, police, and public no longer share a consistent narrative.
When the police and court operate on parallel truths, the citizen becomes the victim of both.
- Public confidence in justice erodes.
- Police credibility suffers.
- The judiciary’s dignity is stained.
- Democracy weakens at its moral core.
As the Igbo say, “If the eye refuses to weep, the nose will.” When the law fails, society will cry.
What Is Really Going On?
Analysts suggest three possibilities:
-
Administrative Miscommunication:
Different arms of the police may be operating under separate directives — one from the correctional process, another from the cybercrime unit.
If true, this points to poor coordination and lack of unified command communication. -
Intentional Narrative Control:
Some observers believe the conflicting explanations are an attempt to manage public perception to calm outrage while still justifying the arrest. -
Systemic Breakdown:
The most worrying possibility is a systemic disconnect between the judiciary’s authority and the police’s operational discipline; a scenario where law enforcement acts before confirming legality.
Whichever is true, one thing is certain: truth has become a casualty.
The Way Forward
Clarify the Chain of Command
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) must investigate who authorized the arrest or remand; and issue a transparent statement to prevent institutional contradiction.
Reinforce Judicial Protocol
No arrest, remand, or detention transfer should occur within court premises without explicit judicial clearance and supervised handover.
Embrace Cameras and Openness
The police should see cameras as partners of accountability, not enemies. A camera captures evidence,not emotion.
Train for Legal Precision
Every officer must understand that lawful procedure is as important as lawful purpose. Procedure validates justice.
Restore Public Confidence
Nigeria must return to a place where truth is singular, not multiple. For as Proverbs 12:19 says:
“The lip of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Voices to Stakeholders
To the Police: Speak with one voice. Truth does not contradict itself. When officers give conflicting accounts, they undermine the institution they swore to serve. A house divided against itself cannot stand. — Mark 3:25
To the Judiciary: Assert control over your courtrooms. No external force should dictate the use of the gavel.
To Journalists: Document facts responsibly. Do not sensationalize; let the truth shine brighter than the noise.
To Nigerians: Watch closely. A vigilant public is democracy’s strongest defense. As the proverb says, “When you close your eyes to the storm, you drown in silence.”
Conclusion: Between Law and Confusion
In the final analysis, this is not just a story about Omoyele Sowore; it is a story about Nigeria’s struggle with truth, power, and procedure.
When senior officers offer conflicting accounts of one event, when cameras are resisted, and when courts are left vulnerable, it is not just one man on trial; it is the nation’s conscience.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34
The question remains:
Who ordered the arrest, and who is telling the truth?
Until that answer comes, justice stands in the dock; waiting for Nigeria to defend her.
KNOW THE FACTS
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sowore was not re-arrested but remanded pending bail perfection | CSP Benjamin Hundeyin | Official Police PRO statement |
| Sowore was arrested over forgery and cyberbullying, refused to make statement | CP Abayomi Shogunle | Counter-claim |
| Arrest occurred within court premises | Eyewitness & media footage | Verified |
| Fresh warrant of arrest issued | Unconfirmed | Under inquiry |
