Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday with a heavy security presence.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly barred some lawyers, supporters and associates of the activist from entering the courtroom.
The National Secretary of the AAC, Oshiok Philip, was among those said to have been denied access, challenging the operatives over the restriction.
Philip was reported 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 urged the agency not to be used to target dissenting voices.
The operatives allegedly mounted security around the courtroom, restricted movement and intimidated some of Sowore’s supporters.
The development followed a two-day order by Justice Mohammed Umar remanding Sowore in the Kuje Correctional Centre.
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 after Monday’s ruling.
His supporters and members of the AAC were outraged by the incident and described the conduct of the DSS as lawless and an attack on due process.
