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 assaulting and forcefully arresting him despite a court order directing that he be remanded at a correctional facility.

The allegation came shortly after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered 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 his recusal from the case over claims of alleged bias and adjourned the matter until June 24, 2026.

According to Sowore’s supporters, DSS operatives seized him shortly after the court proceedings and attempted to remove him from the premises, allegedly causing injuries in the process.

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

The incident led to protests at the Federal High Court complex, where supporters blocked access to the premises. They argued that the court’s directive was for Sowore to be held by the Nigerian Correctional Service and not by the DSS or the police.

Speaking with journalists, the African Action Congress chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Agena Roberts Ande, criticised the action and described it as a disregard for the court’s order.

“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 in connection with an alleged criminal defamation case arising from 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.