Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh has reaffirmed that his declaration of activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, as wanted remains in effect.
Commissiiner Jimoh restated this on Wednesday while speaking on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television.
The commissioner had on Monday declared Mr Sowore wanted for allegedly planning to incite public disorder and block major roads across Lagos State, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate and Freedom Park.
At the time, Jimoh told journalists at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge that intelligence reports indicated plans by Sowore and his associates to stage demonstrations capable of disrupting public peace.
“Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found. Anyone attempting to cause disturbance or block our roads will face the full weight of the law,” he said on Monday.
He also revealed that 13 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the planned protest, while Sowore had allegedly fled.
He said officers had been deployed across key areas of the state to maintain order and prevent disruptions.
Speaking on Wednesday, Jimoh said Sowore had yet to report to the police since being declared wanted.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” he said.
He explained that Sowore’s lawyer had contacted him via text message on Monday while he was responding to a riot and that the message was forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Nigerian Police Force for follow-up.
“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out. The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest,” he said.
Jimoh, however, noted that Sowore had failed to report to the police as agreed.
“Throughout yesterday he has failed to report, and we are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences,” he added.
The commissioner maintained that he has the authority to declare Sowore wanted and urged anyone with a contrary opinion to seek redress in court.
