Supporters of human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, have accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of forcefully arresting and injuring him after a court ordered that he be remanded at a correctional facility.

The allegation followed a ruling by Justice Mohammed Umar, who directed that Sowore be taken to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order that revoked his bail.

The judge also dismissed Sowore’s request for him to withdraw from the case over claims of bias and adjourned further proceedings until June 24, 2026.

According to Sowore’s supporters, DSS operatives moved against him shortly after the ruling within the court premises and attempted to take him away, allegedly causing injuries in the process.

A live video shared on Sowore’s Facebook page showed a DSS operative holding him around the waist and pulling him away, while other operatives prevented his supporters from getting close to him.

The incident led to protests at the Federal High Court complex, as supporters blocked access to the premises and demanded compliance with the court’s order.

They argued that the ruling specifically directed that Sowore should be held at a correctional facility and not in the custody of the DSS or the police.

Speaking with journalists, the AAC chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Agena Roberts Ande, condemned the action, describing it as a disregard for the court’s directive.

He said Sowore had voluntarily appeared before the court after a bench warrant was issued and questioned why he was not immediately transferred to the correctional service as ordered.

“Today we came to court, and as you rightly know, there was an order from the court that Sowore should be provided in court. A bench warrant was given, Sowore accepted, and came to court by himself. Nobody forced him to come to court.

“And then a judgment was given that Sowore should be handed to the Correctional Service. The DSS went behind and kidnapped Sowore in court, even injuring him.

“That is why we all staged here and said no to that impunity. We said the government that designed the rules must obey the rule. If the court gives an order that Sowore should be given to the Correctional Service centre, Sowore should not be given to the police or the DSS,” he said.

Earlier, Sowore said he was not surprised by the court’s decision, adding that he had anticipated the development.

“Nobody should be surprised. I have predicted before now that all these things would happen. But they are happening for a good reason: somebody must make the sacrifice that will liberate this country.

“I am going to prison, but I will be out. And when I am out, I will be stronger, more ferocious, and face these people headlong. That is my message to the Nigerian people,” he said.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over an alleged criminal defamation case connected to social media posts in which he reportedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”

Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

The court had earlier revoked his bail on June 16 and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for the continuation of his trial.