Sowore's Health in Custody Sparks Dispute Between Sahara Reporters and Correctional Authorities

 A report by Sahara Reporters has ignited controversy after claiming that officials within President Bola Tinubu's presidency praised prison and security authorities for placing activist Omoyele Sowore in a section of Kuje Correctional Centre reportedly populated by inmates with active tuberculosis.

According to the report, unnamed sources said presidency officials commended security chiefs for "doing what was necessary" by keeping Sowore in Custody Block 4, allegedly home to several TB-positive inmates. The claim follows earlier Sahara Reporters coverage alleging that Sowore was being held alongside tuberculosis patients following his June 22 remand, and comes after reports that two inmates — one identified as Benjamin Relass, another as Sulieman Ajari — died in custody in June under circumstances raising questions about medical care at the facility.

However, correctional service spokesperson Ogundare pushed back directly on the specific claim, denying that multiple TB-infected inmates were being housed with other detainees. According to him, the one inmate diagnosed with tuberculosis had been placed in isolation for treatment and was recovering — a direct contradiction of reports describing Sowore's cell as shared with multiple TB patients.

The dispute has also drawn political reactions. The Centre for Public Integrity, a pro-government advocacy group, dismissed health complaints about Sowore's detention altogether, with its spokesperson stating plainly that "Kuje prison is not a hotel" and is "meant for detention, not luxury."

Sowore, who was later granted ₦200 million bail with strict conditions, remains at the center of an ongoing cybercrime and defamation case tied to social media posts in which he referred to President Tinubu as "a criminal." His case returns to court on July 6 for continuation of hearing.

It's worth noting that Sahara Reporters is owned by Sowore himself, and its reporting on his own case relies on unnamed sources — while the correctional service's denial directly disputes the central claim. Readers should weigh both accounts as the story develops. Following verified information from official sources remains essential during developing news events.