By SUNTV Global Channel | Africa News Coverage
June 27, 2026
Fresh allegations have emerged claiming that officials within President Bola Tinubu’s administration supported the continued detention of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in a prison cell reportedly housing inmates receiving treatment for tuberculosis (TB) at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja.
According to unnamed sources cited by SaharaReporters, senior officials in the Presidency allegedly commended the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, over Sowore’s placement in the facility.
The sources claimed Sowore is being held in Custody Block 4, where several inmates are reportedly undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. They further alleged that two inmates have died in recent months, while dozens of others remain on treatment.
Additional allegations suggest that overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate medical care have worsened conditions within the correctional facility. However, these claims have not been independently verified by SUNTV Global Channel.
The allegations come days after concerns were raised over Sowore’s health following reports that he was being housed alongside inmates with infectious diseases.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service has previously denied reports that multiple tuberculosis patients are being kept with other inmates. Officials maintain that any inmate diagnosed with tuberculosis is isolated and receives appropriate treatment in line with correctional health protocols.
Sowore was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre on June 22, 2026, by the Federal High Court in Abuja following proceedings before Justice Mohammed Umar. He remains in custody pending the determination of his bail application, with the court scheduled to rule on the matter on June 30, 2026.
The case has continued to attract reactions from civil society organisations, political supporters and human rights advocates, many of whom have expressed concerns over his detention conditions and have called for due process and the protection of his health and constitutional rights.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency, the Department of State Services (DSS), nor the Nigerian Correctional Service had publicly responded to the latest allegations.
