Sowore May soon assume the status of Prisoner of Conscience, says CSNAC
Network of international human rights organisations and coalitions may
soon adopt detained Publisher of Sahara reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore as
a “Prisoner of Conscience.”
In a release on Monday, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption
(CSNAC) said it is working with renown rights groups across the world to
ensure the Mr Sowore Omoyele is adopted as a Prisoner of Conscience
unless the Federal Government releases the activist without further
delay.
The statement signed by CSNAC Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, expressed
shock that the Nigerian authorities were making frivolous charges
against Mr Sowore who has been in custody since August 5.
The group also called for the release of Olawale Bakare, a member of
Revolution Now arrested in Osogbo, Osun State on August 5, Publisher of
Cross Rivers Watch, Mr Agba Jalingo and Ekanem Ekpo. The last two were
arrested by the police and are yet to be taken to court.
CSNAC said ‘Reputable international right groups will soon adopt Mr
Sowore as a Prisoner of Conscience unless the Federal Government release
him immediately.
He said “The continous detention of Mr Sowore is an embarrassment to
Nigeria as a country. Everywhere we visit across the world people are
asking questions about Mr Sowore’s detention. Many people do not
understand the logic of laying charges of treason against Sowore simply
because he used the word revolution. His incarceration continues to put
a question mark on the credibility of the Nigerian government. Democracy
dies when the culture of debate and the tradition of protest are lost.”
CSNAC said the Nigerian government has beyond imaginations embarrassed
itself by charging Mr Sowore for ‘insulting the President’.
“It is even more ridiculous that he is being charged for insulting Mr
President and also for money laundering where money was legitimately
transferred through the financial institutions. These are frivolous
charges aimed at seeking justification for his illegal arrest and
continuous detention.”
CSNAC said from indications, the Nigerian government is desperate to
press charges against Sowore and ensure he is jailed at all cost.
Suraju said Sowore is being hunted in part, due to series of
publications in Sahara Reporters that consistently exposed corrupt
practices in this and previous governments.
“Sowore is obviously a victim of vengeance. Corrupt politicians and
security chiefs whose dirty deals have consistently been exposed by
Sahara reporters are looking for ways to settle scores. They think by
bringing down Sowore, Sahara reporters will die.
“Its an illusion to think by keeping Sowore in jail, Sahara Reporters
will be off the global network. This is a mistake because Sahara
Reporters has assumed the status of an independent entity.”
CSNAC dismissed the charge of money laundering by the Department of
State Security, (DSS) saying it is an attempt to blackmail Sahara
Reporters and its publisher.
Sowore was arrested on August 5 in Lagos. The FG had obtained ex parte
order granting his detention for 45 days.
After keeping him for almost two months, he was charged for insulting
President Mohammadu Buhari during a life programme on AriseTV. The
government also accused him of treason.
He was also charged for transferring the sun of $19,975 from his
personal account to Sahara Reporters.
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