Group accuses watchdog of destabilisation plot
Amnesty International has faulted the Nigerian authorities for what it called the relentless harassment and persecution of a human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
In a statement posted on its X handle yesterday, the global human rights organisation criticised the ongoing trial of Sowore on charges of terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities, describing them as baseless and politically motivated attempts to silence him.
The statement followed a recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered six banks to provide the police with details of bank accounts linked to the activist and his companies as part of an investigation into alleged terrorism funding and money laundering.
It described Sowore’s arraignment as another attempt to crack down on his human rights.
“Authorities must immediately drop all the charges against him and end the politically motivated investigation.
“Subjecting bank accounts linked to Sowore and Sahara Reporters to a purported investigation is part of a wider attempt to crack down on civic space and peaceful dissent in Nigeria,” Amnesty said.
It added: “Filing additional charges and a fresh case against him is clearly aimed at targeting Sahara Reporters, which is an independent medium that upholds freedom of expression and the public interest.
“Nigerian authorities must allow Sowore to freely exercise his human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.”
HOWEVER, a group, the Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI), yesterday, accused the global watchdog of fueling disunity in Nigeria through what it termed “unfounded, misleading and destabilising” reports on violent attacks across the federation.
It warned that Amnesty’s style of advocacy could encourage rebellion, leading to chaos, destruction, and authoritarian crackdowns, ultimately undermining the very human rights it claims to defend.
In a statement by its Director of Strategic Communication, Dr Tunji Bamidele, the group insisted that AI’s recent claims of mass killings and abductions were inflated, mischievous and aimed at destabilising the country.
According to the global organisation, no fewer than 65 people were killed in recent attacks, including over 50 worshippers reportedly gunned down in Katsina, and more than 15 farmers killed in Plateau State’s Mangu Local Council. The rights body also claimed that over 60 persons were abducted, and more than 200 displaced.
DWI dismissed the figures as exaggerated and mischievous, accusing Amnesty of exploiting grievances in ways that endanger national peace. Bamidele said: “The report has the potential to illuminate injustices and inspire hope among the oppressed. However, when organisations like Amnesty International leverage this discontent irresponsibly, they risk igniting unrest and division.
“By amplifying grievances without substantiating claims, AI positions itself as a voice for the marginalised, yet their actions can lead to unintended consequences that fracture society rather than foster solidarity.”
