Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded an end to arbitrary prosecution of renowned rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, has been championing the reform of the Nigeria police, good governance, human rights, among other issues in the country.
SERAP is now calling on President Bola Tinubu to immediately order the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to drop the bogus charges against the human rights activist, Sowore and the investigation of Sahara Reporters media outlet.
NATIONAL POST reports that Sowore, a fearless activist and human rights promoter in Nigeria, has been facing multiple charges being filed by the police.
Earlier today, he was to be arraigned on another charge, but it was stalled.
SERAP in a statement issued on Wednesday, said that Sowore was suffering a terrible miscarriage of justice just because of the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
It warned that the Nigerian government must not subject Sowore to another bogus prosecution and unfair trial.
“President Tinubu should direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately drop the bogus charges against journalist Omoyele Sowore and end the arbitrary prosecution and abusive investigation of the journalist and Sahara Reporters,” SERAP stated.
The group warned that continuing the case against Sowore would further undermine human rights in the country.
SERAP expressed concern that the prosecution of Sowore by the police was politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.
“We are concerned that the baseless charges and unfair prosecution of Sowore are in apparent retaliation for the peaceful exercise of his human rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The intimidation and harassment of journalists and independent press must END,” SERAP said.
The human rights group further asked the President Tinubu-led Nigerian government to respect Sowore’s constitutional and international protections.
“Nigerian authorities must allow Sowore to freely exercise his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party,” SERAP stated.
SERAP stressed that freedom of expression and peaceful dissent are essential to democracy and must not be suppressed by the government.
“Peaceful dissent and opinions are the cornerstone of a democratic society that is based on the rule of law, and stifling them is a direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the country's international human rights obligations,” the statement noted.
Demanding that the Nigerian government end restrictions on civic space, SERAP said, “Nigerian authorities should end the restrictions on civic space and live up to their constitutional and international obligations to respect and uphold the human rights of everyone in the country including journalists, human rights defenders and activists.”
NATIONAL POST recalls that Sowore, earlier on Wednesday provided update on the planned fresh charge against him.
In a post on X, the activist wrote: “Today’s so-called trial against me and Sahara Reporters collapsed again before it could even start.
“The Nigeria Police Force, despite boasting of an ex parte order, admitted they still could not serve charges on Sahara Reporters, the second defendant.
“Our brilliant legal team led by Barr. Tope Temokun of TOPE TEMOKUN CHAMBERS, LAGOS joined by Barr. Marshal D F Abubakar (Falana Chambers), Barr. Rosemary Hamza (Deji Adeyanju & Co.), Barr. Chike Anago and Barr. Sunday Adebayo ( Pelumi Olajengbesi's Law Corridor) made it clear before Justice Emeka Nwite that these charges are incompetent, unconstitutional, and a product of vendetta.
“Barr. Marshal D F Abubakar reminded the court of the Police Act (2020) which forbids officers from abusing their office for personal grudges. He rightly urged that instead of fixing a date for arraignment, the court must first address these fundamental breaches.”
He described it as another wasted day on the altar of frivolities.
The matter has been adjourned till September 15, 2025.
