Discontinuation of Case Against Sowore

The Nigerian government has discontinued its case against #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore over alleged treason. A Notice of Discontinuance was issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja and signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The notice stated that the complainant would discontinue the case.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court threatened to strike out the farcical treason charge filed against Sowore if the Nigerian government was not ready to continue with the case five years after it began. The case could not proceed due to the 1st defendant’s inability to take his plea following the announcement of the new prosecution lawyer, A.Y Tahir. The defense counsel, Marshal Abubakar, objected to the application, arguing that the prosecution was playing to the gallery and that the Nigerian government was not ready with the case.

The 2nd defendant’s counsel, Olumide Fusika, apologized for his absence in court and stated that the Department of State Services had taken him away on December 6, 2019, when their operatives invaded Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu’s court. The prosecution counsel urged the court to issue a bench warrant on the 2nd defendant, but the presiding judge decided to strike out the case if the prosecution was not ready.

Sowore’s supporters called on President Bola Tinubu’s government to end the sham trial against the activist, stating that he had not committed any known offense. Human rights crusader Deji Adeyanju and Secretary Board of Trustees African Action Congress Secretary Ogochukwu Okoro were also present in court in solidarity with the activist.