Some officers at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, have reportedly expressed concerns over what they described as the unprecedented tightening of security around the facility following the remand of fiery activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Sources within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) facility told SaharaReporters that security measures at the prison have been significantly reinforced since Sowore was brought to the custodial centre, with additional armed personnel reportedly deployed and access to the facility subjected to stricter controls.
According to the sources, the heightened security has coincided with frequent visits by Sowore’s lawyers, political associates, family members, supporters and human rights activists, many of whom have continued to demand his release.
One correctional officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, questioned the scale of the security deployment.
“When they brought about 500 terrorists here, they didn’t militarise this facility the way they have done because of Mr. Omoyele Sowore,” the officer alleged.
The source claimed that the increased security presence has altered the routine operations of the correctional centre and placed additional pressure on prison personnel.
According to the officers, prison authorities have also reportedly adjusted the facility’s daily visitation schedule.
They alleged that whereas official visiting hours previously extended until about 2:30 p.m., visitors are now required to conclude their visits by approximately 1:30 p.m.
The change, the sources said, has affected not only Sowore’s visitors but also relatives, lawyers and associates of other inmates held at the facility.
Some of the officers reportedly expressed frustration over the new arrangements, arguing that the additional security measures have increased their workload and disrupted the normal administration of the custodial centre.
Sowore, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) who also contested in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, is currently being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre following an order remanding him in custody pending further proceedings in his case.
His detention has attracted widespread condemnation from civil society organisations, lawyers, political associates and human rights advocates, who have described the charges against him as politically motivated and called for his immediate release.
SaharaReporters had previously reported that Sowore was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following an order by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court’s decision came after it dismissed Sowore’s application seeking the recusal of the judge from his ongoing trial.
Sowore is standing trial over allegations brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with public statements in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Earlier this month, Sowore renewed calls for Justice Umar to withdraw from the case, alleging bias and unfair treatment during proceedings.
He also stated that he was compelled to represent himself after members of his legal team declined to continue appearing before the judge.
In a post on his X account shortly after Monday’s proceedings, Sowore disclosed that he personally moved a fresh application asking the judge to step aside.
“Soon after today’s court hearing at the Federal High Court, where I represented myself because my lawyers had decided they could no longer appear before Justice M.G. Umar due to what they described as persistent maltreatment, I personally moved a motion asking the judge, once again, to recuse himself from the case,” he wrote.
The court, however, dismissed the application and ordered that the trial proceed.
(SaharaReporters)