NIGERIA— After over four months held in a Nigerian jail—despite two court orders to release him and widespread international pressure— Haworth resident and journalist Omoyele Sowore was released on bail Dec. 24.
“The Nigerian Government has ordered the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki and the convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Mr. Omoyele Sowore,” said a statement reported by Channels Television confirming Sowore’s release.
The release was announced by the Nigerian Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abukar Malami, on Dec. 24.
Sowore denies all charges against him, including treason, money-laundering and cyber-stalking for supposedly sharing false and insulting information about the Nigerian president.
A Sowore family spokesperson said his trial is scheduled to resume on Feb. 11. As a condition of his bail, he is not permitted to leave Abuja, the capitol city of Nigeria, the spokesperson said.
“While I am grateful for Yele’s long overdue release on bail, my number one concern is for his safety,” said Opeyemi Sowore, his wife, in a statement Dec. 24. “We remain resolute on Yele being cleared of all baseless charges. I look forward to his safe return home to our family in New Jersey. We continue to pray for a holiday miracle.”
Omoyele Sowore was arrested by Nigerian Department of State Security (DSS) on Aug. 3 for organizing a pro-democracy protest and held without bail and formal charges for nearly two months. He was twice ordered released by Nigerian courts but the DSS re-arrested Sowore less than 24 hours after his second court-ordered release when he appeared in court for a hearing on his case.
Sowore is a former Nigerian presidential candidate and founder of Sahara Reporters, an online news agency often critical of government corruption and malfeasance.
In a Dec. 10 update, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on Nigerian authorities to halt all efforts to intimidate journalists working with the U.S.-headquartered, Nigeria-focused Sahara Reporters, saying the company’s Nigerian bank account was frozen without advance notice in October, significantly hindering their operations. The website was separately disabled twice, the CPJ said.
“Surveillance, cyberattacks, and copyright notices against Sahara Reporters mark a concerning pattern of interference and harassment of an investigative news outlet,” said CPJ.
Sowore has remained imprisoned since August, continuing calls for his release by human-rights organizations, international press freedom organizations, and New Jersey congressional representatives.
Repeated calls for release
Just recently in early December, Sowore supporters rallied in Newark and joined Sens. Robert Menendez and also on Dec. 20 Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) called on the Nigerian government to release Omoyele Sowore.
His hometown, Haworth, held an emotional rally Oct. 28, where Sowore family members, friends and supporters tied “yele ribbons” around trees down the borough’s main street to show support for his release and return.
Supporters continued to add yellow ribbons marking every day of his imprisonment by Nigerian authorities.
“We are urging the Nigerian government to protect Yele’s safety, provides him with the due process he deserves, and ultimately permit him to return home as soon as possible. We will continue watching the situation in Nigeria, a democracy seeking closer ties with the U.S., to make sure the government respects basic human rights. I can think of no better Christmas gift for the Sowore family then welcoming Yele home,” said Gottheimer (NJ-5) on Dec. 20.
Menendez of New Jersey said he was gratified to hear of Sowore’s release and expects the Nigerian government to ensure his continued safety and security.
“I am hopeful that moving forward we can rely on the Nigerian justice system for a transparent, credible legal process,” said Menendez. “I plan to continue to closely watch further proceedings in Mr. Sowore’s case.”
Nigerian Attorney General has ‘Chosen to comply’
“The office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired) and Omoyele Sowore,” began a statement issued by the Nigerian attorney general Dec. 24.
“Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the complainant/prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015,” the statement continued.
“However, my office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts. In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release,” continued the statement.
“The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.
“I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria. This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the rule of law and the administration of justice in general,” concluded the statement.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:50 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27.