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Nigerian police have charged Henry Nwodo, a member of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, with the offence of “impersonation of a human rights activist” following his arrest on Sunday....TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT | TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT
Nwodo was apprehended ahead of a protest organized by the TIB Movement against police extortion and unlawful roadblocks, scheduled for Monday.
According to SaharaReporters, Nwodo was arraigned at Magistrate Court 9, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja. His lawyer, R.E. Hamza, confirmed the charge.
He said: “They claimed he was impersonating human rights activism, not a specific person, simply because he told them he is a human rights activist. When I asked how they verified this claim, they said the matter is already before the court.”
A source close to the organization called the charge “a serious joke,” adding, “I’ve seen funny charges before, but I’ve never heard of anything like this.”
Nwodo was arrested on Sunday evening while buying food. Shortly after, police raided his home, denying him access to his family and lawyer.
The arrest is reportedly linked to the TIB Movement’s planned protest at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, which aims to end police extortion and illegal roadblocks across the country.
The TIB Movement has been vocal about police brutality and social justice in Nigeria, gaining recognition in 2020 for its role in the #EndSARS protests.
The group’s convener, Omoyele Sowore, has also been detained by police perpetually after he was summoned on January 23, 2025, following a recorded altercation with officers in Lagos.
In a statement shared on its social media platform, TIB reminded Nigerians of its past success in dismantling SARS, a police unit infamous for extrajudicial killings and brutality.
“We will not stop until we put a permanent end to police extortions and lawless roadblocks across the country,” the group declared.
