The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has maintained that he has the right to declare Sowore wanted, saying that his declaration still stands.
Jimoh had on Monday declared Sowore wanted for allegedly “causing a disturbance of public peace and acts to commit a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.
According to him, Sowore, who leads the “Take It Back Movement,” ignored earlier warnings from the police not to mobilise protests over the recent demolition of houses in the Oworonshoki area.
He urged Sowore to surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found.
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Jimoh said Sowore had yet to report to the police since the declaration and reiterated his commitment to pursuing the case.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” CP Jimoh 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 Criminal Investigation Department (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.
“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 of Police also challenged anyone with a contrary opinion to seek redress in court.
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