Police arrest Sowore, Sahara Reporter’s publisher

OPERATIVES of the Lagos State police command, on Wednesday, arrested the publisher of Sahara Reporter, Omoyele Sowore.

The publisher was being detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, at the time of filing this report.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that Sowore was arrested at Isaac John Street, Ikeja, by a team of policemen from Area ‘F’ police command.

It was gathered that Sowore was accused of  defamation of character and threat to life by a man simply identified as Lekan Fatodu.

A police source told the Nigerian Tribune that “there was actually a report against him, but the complainant got to the scene before the policemen and there had been shouting match between the duo.”

The source said the police from Area ‘F’ got a radio message that men from the area be deployed in Sowore’s house to prevent breakdown of law and order.

The publisher was reportedly detained after he disregarded efforts of the state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, to wade into the crisis.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest of Sowore to the Nigerian Tribune.

“Yes, he was arrested over a report of defamation of character and threat to life and he has been transferred to the State CID,” she said.

The complainant, Fatodu, later on his Instagram handle, wrote: “BREAKING! I just got Sowore Omoyele of Sahara Reporters arrested for criminal defamation and blackmail and threat to my life and career.”