Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the remand of legal practitioner and activist Abdulmamhud, describing the development as a troubling example of alleged abuse of power within the Nigeria Police Force.
In a post shared on his X account on Friday, Sowore said he was informed that a magistrate sitting in Mararaba, near Abuja, ordered that Abdulmamhud be remanded at Keffi Correctional Centre despite his voluntary return from the United Kingdom to face trial.
According to Sowore, the case, which reportedly began in 2023, stemmed from a disagreement between Abdulmahmud and a senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police Amabua Muhammed.
He alleged that the officer had been exerting undue influence over the proceedings.
Sowore characterised the remand order as unjust, noting that Abdulmamhud had demonstrated willingness to submit himself to the judicial process by returning to Nigeria.
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The activist called on the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to immediately discontinue the matter and review other cases he described as involving police misconduct against “conscientious citizens.”
The case has sparked conversations among civil society groups and legal observers, some of whom argue that the remand of a defendant who voluntarily appeared in court raises concerns about proportionality and due process.
Others caution that the full facts of the matter should be carefully examined within the judicial framework.
As debates continue, the situation underscores broader tensions between citizens and law enforcement authorities, particularly in cases where allegations of institutional overreach intersect with ongoing judicial proceedings.