IPAC Petitions IGP Over Alleged Assault, Death Threats Against Omoyele Sowore in Police Custody

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police over alleged assault and death threats against Omoyele Sowore, National Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), by police officers while in detention.

Sowore, a human rights activist and AAC’s 2023 presidential candidate, was reportedly arrested after honouring an invitation to the Nigeria Police Force headquarters. He was released on Friday evening, though the police are yet to disclose the charges against him.

In the petition, signed by IPAC’s National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, and titled “Petition Against Your Officers and Men for Threat of Life, and Alleged Assault of Mr. Omoyele Sowore,” the council accused the police of painting itself in a bad light once again.

“We as an association of all registered political parties in Nigeria hereby write this petition on behalf of Mr. Omoyele Sowore for the events of the last few days, which led to the alleged assault on his person while in your custody,” the petition read in part.

IPAC claimed that Sowore’s ordeal, including images of injuries allegedly sustained, suggested a “premeditated action” to either maim or kill him. The group insisted such conduct violated his fundamental human rights under the 1999 Constitution.

They called for the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the officers involved and demanded that if Sowore is found to have committed any offence, he should be promptly charged to court instead of being detained beyond the constitutionally allowed period.