Human Rights Group Calls For Immediate Release of Sowore

A Civil Society organisation CSO, African Action Congress ACC, has called for the immediate release of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF

The National Organizing Secretary of the group, Comrade Oshiokes Phillip who made the call at a peaceful protest at the Force Headquarters in Abuja said, Sowore has been unconstitutionally detained in the Police facility for few days now and still counting.

“We accompanied Sowore who was invited by the Department of Force Investigation Department FID, over an undisclosed allegation and on arrival he demanded to see the petition leveled against him but, unfortunately nothing was presented on the that basis hence he decided not to pencil down any statement.

“At the end of the day he was detained, only for us to return the next day and his whereabouts could not be ascertained up till now.”

“Sowore has been the voice to the voiceless and we can all testify to that so, i don’t see why constructive criticism in a democratic government should be a crime. There shouldn’t be any set of Nigerians who should be seen as more superior or more important than others. Oshiokes added.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police CP, Special Intervention in the Force Investigation Department FID, Abayomi Sogunle said Sowore was invited over an alleged allegation bothering on foggery of police documents for online publication and cyber bullying.

“The two petitions against Sowore were shown to him in the present of his two lawyers and he refused to make any written statements in that regards and the procedure under the Nigeria law is very clear, when an allegation is is made against you and if called upon, you owe the duty to put down your opinion and sign been the constitutional grounds for defense.”

‘The procedure is very clear, we have an investigation been carried out which has nothing to do with protest on police retirees, his political views and ambition neither his human rights activities”.

‘His arrest was made before his two lawyers were backed by an order for his detention, so i have not been briefed whether he has finally made an official statement or not. Omoyele is in safe hands, and if you must see him appoint 3 of your representatives to come along with me.”

In a reaction, Sowore’s Legal Council Alex Okita stated that he has the constitutional rights to remain silent and not obligated to make any statement under law stressing that he has seen detained beyond the stipulated legal period and ought to have been charged to any court of competent jurisdiction for further trial on the allegation leveled against him

“We are not in a banana republic he has been detained more than the stipulated period, We want a society where there’s law and order in the protection of its citizens. What has happened here is in fragrant violation of Sowere’s fundamental human rights.”

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji