SUNTV GLOBAL CHANNEL | Politics
Fresh concerns have emerged over the welfare of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, following reports that he is being detained in a Kuje Correctional Centre cell alongside inmates suffering from tuberculosis.
Sources within the prison told reporters that Sowore is currently being housed with inmates diagnosed with the infectious disease, including one prisoner who reportedly died recently and another battling spinal tuberculosis.
The development has intensified concerns about healthcare conditions inside Nigeria’s correctional facilities, particularly at Kuje Prison, where reports of inmate deaths linked to inadequate medical attention have continued to surface.
According to prison insiders, one of the tuberculosis-infected inmates sharing the facility with Sowore died only days ago, raising fears about potential health risks for other detainees.
“This situation raises serious concerns about the health and safety of all inmates,” a source familiar with the matter said, calling for urgent medical screening and improved healthcare services within the prison.
The reports come shortly after the death of another inmate, identified as Sulieman Ajari, who reportedly passed away at a hospital in Abuja after experiencing delays in receiving urgent medical treatment. His death occurred barely a week after the reported death of a Rwandan inmate, Benjamin Relass, in custody.
Sources alleged that many inmates with serious medical conditions struggle to access specialist healthcare due to funding challenges and delays in approval for treatment outside the correctional facility.
The latest revelations have renewed scrutiny of healthcare management within Nigerian correctional centres and sparked calls for authorities to improve conditions for inmates requiring urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, Sowore remains in custody after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja revoked his bail in an ongoing case involving allegations stemming from comments he made about President Bola Tinubu.
The court was expected to rule on Sowore’s application for bail restoration on June 24 but adjourned the matter until June 30, 2026.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s legal team urged the court to release him pending the determination of the application, arguing that he had consistently attended court hearings and never attempted to evade trial.
However, the judge declined the request, stating that additional time was needed to review all submissions before delivering a decision.
The activist’s continued detention has drawn criticism from supporters, civil society organisations and human rights advocates, who argue that he has complied with all court requirements and should not remain in custody while awaiting the court’s ruling.
Source: Prison Sources Reporting by SUNTV Global Channel
