Sowore Says He Met Haruna Gololo in Kuje Prison, Alleges Senate President Ordered His Remand
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, said he encountered Haruna Garba Gololo at the Kuje Correctional Centre following court proceedings, alleging that Gololo was remanded on the order of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Sowore made the claim after his appearance in court, where he recounted his experience during his stay at the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Sowore, Gololo remained in custody despite being granted bail because he had been unable to meet the conditions attached to his release.
He alleged that Gololo’s detention stemmed from actions linked to Senate President Akpabio.
The activist did not present documentary evidence in support of the allegation, and there has been no public response from Senate President Akpabio or his office addressing the specific claim at the time of publication.
Sowore Raises Concerns Over Bail Conditions
Sowore used Gololo’s case to criticize what he described as the growing challenge of stringent bail conditions and prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
He argued that although some detainees secure court orders granting bail, the conditions imposed by courts can be difficult to satisfy, leaving them in custody for extended periods.
His comments come amid renewed national debate over prison congestion and delays in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Official figures indicate that a significant proportion of inmates across the country’s correctional centres are awaiting trial rather than serving convictions.
Debate Over Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System
During his account, Sowore said his time in Kuje Correctional Centre exposed him to the experiences of several inmates who, according to him, remain incarcerated despite obtaining bail because of demanding conditions set by the courts.
He has repeatedly argued that prolonged pretrial detention contributes significantly to overcrowding in correctional facilities and called for reforms aimed at ensuring quicker access to justice.
The remarks follow wider discussions among legal practitioners, rights advocates and government officials over reforms to Nigeria’s criminal justice system, particularly concerning pretrial detention, prison congestion and bail administration.
No Official Response Yet
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Office of the Senate President nor the Nigerian Correctional Service had publicly commented on Sowore’s allegation concerning Gololo’s remand.
Similarly, no court documents were immediately available publicly to substantiate the claim that Gololo’s detention was ordered by the Senate President.
The matter is likely to generate further public attention as discussions continue over judicial processes, detention practices and access to justice in Nigeria.
