NEWS
Sowore released again after US warning
Popular pro-democracy campaigner and journalist, Omoyele Sowore, has been released from detention, TOPNAIJA.NG reports.
Sowore was released on Tuesday evening following an order to the Department of State Services by Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for his freedom.
President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to release the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Both men are being held in defiance of separate court orders.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said, on Tuesday, his office had issued the order to the SSS to release both men.
“The office of the honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore,” Mr Malami said in a statement from his office Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Dasuki has been in the custody of the SSS for four years over allegations he diverted funds for arms to prosecute the war against the Boko Haram in the country’s Northeast under President Goodluck Jonathan.
While he was able to secure bail, the SSS continues to hold him, with state officials variously citing national security as justification for violating court orders.
Mr Sowore was arrested early August by the SSS in Lagos just ahead of the #RevolutionNow protests which he inspired months after losing the 2019 presidential election.
In his case, the SSS also disobeyed the court after the fiery activist was granted bail. He was, though, released after over 120 days in detention on December 4. Yet barely 24 hours after his release, the SSS operatives invaded the court to forcefully effect his arrest again, bringing Nigeria to international disrepute.
Nigerian newspaper took turns to condemn the invasion and warned that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is increasingly becoming lawless and dangerous to liberty.
Mr Sowore has since been in the custody of the SSS without any fresh charge.
