Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday amid heavy security presence.
Some lawyers, supporters and associates of the activist were reportedly barred from entering the courtroom by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Among those said to have been denied access was the National Secretary of the AAC, Oshiok Philip, who challenged the operatives over the restriction.
Philip was said to have told the DSS officials that the courtroom was a public space and accused them of acting against the provisions of the constitution by barring people from witnessing the proceedings.
He also called on the agency not to be used against dissenting voices.
The operatives allegedly surrounded the courtroom with security, restricted movement and intimidated some of Sowore’s supporters.
This came after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered that Sowore be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre for two days.
It had earlier reported that armed DSS operatives allegedly stormed the courtroom and forcefully took Sowore away while he was awaiting transfer by correctional officials following Monday’s ruling.
Supporters and members of the AAC were incensed by the incident and described the conduct of the DSS as lawless and an attack on due process.
