Nigeria, Aug. 9 -- The Nigeria Police Force says human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, twice refused medical checks in custody, dismissing allegations he was tortured after his arrest.

Force spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Friday that the police dispatched two separate medical teams to examine Mr Sowore on 7 and 8 August, but he refused both visits.

The refusals, Mr Adejobi noted, were officially recorded.

"While the Police respect the individual's right to decline medical assessment, the record must show that the opportunity for independent medical verification was twice provided and twice rejected," the statement read.

He described as "false and gro...