The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore was remanded on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja pending the determination of his application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order revoking his bail.
The court also dismissed an application filed by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal from the case over allegations of bias.
Reacting to the development, SERAP urged the Federal Government to withdraw all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against the activist and politician.
In a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation argued that Sowore was being detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“We call on the Federal Government to immediately release Omoyele Sowore and drop all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against him,” SERAP said.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as a growing clampdown on fundamental freedoms in Nigeria.
“We are concerned about the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom, as well as the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities,” the statement added.
SERAP maintained that protecting civic space and upholding constitutional rights remain essential to safeguarding democracy and the rule of law in the country.
