‘I Already Brought My Prison Bag’, Says Sowore After Court Remands Him In Kuje Prison

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has said his remand in the Kuje Correctional Centre will not deter his political struggle, declaring that imprisonment is a sacrifice he is prepared to make in the quest to “liberate” Nigeria.

Sowore made the declaration on Monday after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that he be remanded in prison until Wednesday, following the earlier revocation of his bail.

Addressing journalists shortly after the court proceedings, the activist said he had anticipated the development and arrived in court fully prepared to be taken into custody.

“The courts, as you all are aware, made an order while I was absent last week that my bail is revoked and an arrest warrant issued,” he said.

According to him, the prosecution insisted that he be sent to prison pending the next adjourned date, despite his appearance before the court.

“The court was told by the prosecutors that they must insist on sending me to Kuje prison until Wednesday. But guess what? I’m prepared. I brought my prison bag with me, and I told the judge, who said he can’t recuse himself, that when they’re ready, I’m ready,” Sowore stated.

The former presidential candidate said he was not surprised by the turn of events, noting that he had long expected such actions because of his political activism.

“Nobody should be surprised. I have predicted before now that all these things are going to happen. But they are happening for a good reason,” he said.

Sowore maintained that genuine political change often demands personal sacrifice and insisted that he was willing to bear the consequences.

“And the reason is that somebody must make the sacrifice that will liberate this country,” he added.

Drawing comparisons with the experiences of African nationalist leaders, he cited Kwame Nkrumah as an example of a leader who endured imprisonment before eventually assuming office.

“Kwame Nkrumah was sent to prison for insulting colonial masters in Ghana. He came out of prison and became the President of the Republic of Ghana,” he said.

The activist further declared that his incarceration would not weaken his resolve to mobilise Nigerians against what he described as an oppressive system.

“I am going to prison to keep mobilising our people so that this country can be liberated. I have no doubt that the end of the evil regime has come,” he said.

He argued that Nigerians deserve leaders who are prepared to make sacrifices on their behalf.

“I have no doubt that the Nigerian people deserve my sacrifice. I have no doubt that if we don’t do this now, we’ll have to do it another time,” he stated.

Sowore also noted that his commitment to social and political activism dates back to his university days.

“This is a sacrifice I started making since I was a university student at the age of 18,” he said.

The Federal High Court’s decision to remand the activist came after it dismissed his application seeking the recusal of Justice Mohammed Umar from his ongoing trial.

Sowore is currently facing charges instituted by the Department of State Services over public comments in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The matter has been adjourned until Wednesday for further proceedings.