Sowore Held In Kuje Prison Cell With Tuberculosis Inmates, One Recently D!ed –Sources
Sowore Held In Kuje Prison Cell With Tuberculosis Inmates, One Recently Died –Sources
The development comes amid growing concerns over healthcare conditions at the correctional facility, following reports of recent inmate deaths allegedly linked to delayed medical treatment.
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, is currently being held in a cell at the Kuje Correctional Centre alongside inmates suffering from tuberculosis, raising fresh concerns about his health and the state of medical care in Nigeria’s prison system.
Prison sources told SaharaReporters that Sowore is being housed in a cell with inmates diagnosed with tuberculosis. According to the sources, one of the inmates recently died, while another is battling spinal tuberculosis.
The development comes amid growing concerns over healthcare conditions at the correctional facility, following reports of recent inmate deaths allegedly linked to delayed medical treatment.
“Sowore has been confined in a Kuje Prison cell alongside inmates suffering from tuberculosis. One of the affected prisoners died only last Saturday,” a source said.
The source warned that the situation poses serious risks to Sowore’s health and highlighted broader concerns about conditions within Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
“This development raises grave concerns about his health, safety, and the broader state of medical care within Nigeria’s correctional facilities,” the source said.
“No detainee, regardless of the charges against them, should be exposed to conditions that endanger life and health. The authorities must immediately ensure proper medical screening, humane detention conditions, and access to adequate healthcare for all inmates.”
The revelation comes shortly after SaharaReporters reported the death of an inmate, identified as Sulieman Ajari, at Gwagwalada Hospital in Abuja.
Sources familiar with the incident said Ajari’s condition deteriorated after delays in receiving urgent medical treatment because he could not afford the cost of care.
Ajari’s death reportedly occurred barely a week after another inmate, a Rwandan national identified as Benjamin Relass, died in custody on June 16, 2026.
According to prison sources, Ajari was rushed to hospital shortly after Relass’s death but later died because there was no funding available for his treatment.
One source accused the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) of neglecting inmates with serious health conditions, saying access to medical care often depends on whether relatives or well-wishers can finance treatment.
“It is so saddening that the man who was rushed to the hospital after the Rwandan man’s death has also died due to lack of funding. Inmates are usually not taken out for special treatment until their sickness becomes very severe,” the source told SaharaReporters.
The source further alleged that many sick inmates are denied timely specialist treatment unless their conditions become critical.
According to the source, critically ill prisoners are often left to rely on family members, friends, or other supporters to cover medical expenses before they can access hospital care.
Ajari’s death has renewed concerns over healthcare delivery in Nigerian correctional centres and the treatment of inmates suffering from severe illnesses.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Assistant Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service visited the Kuje Correctional Centre as part of an investigation into the death of Benjamin Relass.
Sources within the prison told SaharaReporters that preliminary findings from the inquiry pointed to alleged negligence by the facility’s medical officer, Dr. Abraham Ezigbe.
According to the sources, Ezigbe told investigators that Relass had never visited the prison hospital. However, prison hospital records reportedly contradicted that claim and indicated that the deceased had an established medical history at the facility.
The officer in charge of the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Rasheed Ogundare, had not responded to requests for comments as of press time. Calls to his mobile phone went unanswered and a message sent to him also received no reply.
Bail Restoration Ruling Deferred
Sowore was remanded in prison on Monday after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, revoked his bail in an ongoing case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The activist is being prosecuted over comments in which he described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”
Although the court had initially fixed June 24 for a ruling on Sowore’s application for bail restoration, Justice Umar on Wednesday adjourned the ruling until June 30, 2026.
During proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, R.O. Adakole, who appeared for lead counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to release the activist into the custody of his legal team pending determination of the application.
Adakole argued that Sowore had consistently attended court proceedings and had never absconded since the case commenced.
However, Justice Umar declined the request, stating that he needed time to carefully review the affidavits and other processes already before the court.
Despite repeated appeals by the defence, the judge refused to grant temporary release.
The revocation of Sowore’s bail has drawn criticism from supporters, civil society organisations, and rights groups, who argue that the activist has consistently complied with court proceedings and should not have been remanded pending determination of his application.
