HURIWA condemns directive, calls for case withdrawal

The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the remand of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, in Kuje Prison, Abuja, pending the determination of his motion for a stay of the order revoking his bail and bench warrant.
   
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the activist’s remand and urged the DSS to discontinue the cybercrime case against him.
   
The group described the revocation of Sowore’s bail and his detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre as developments that raise concerns about freedom of expression and the treatment of dissenting voices in the country.
   
In a short ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar also dismissed Sowore’s earlier application seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on the ground of alleged bias. He then adjourned the matter until June 24 for the hearing of the application as filed by the defendant’s new lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).
   
Justice Umar had, on June 16, revoked a bail granted to Sowore following his failure to appear in court for his trial following an oral application by the lawyer to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), and also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
   
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly making false claims against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in a post on his X and Facebook accounts.
   
Reacting to the court order, Sowore posted on his official X page yesterday that the ruling was due to his “one absence from court since the bogus case began,” adding that he had been away consulting with his new legal team.
   
The post partly read: “Mr Olumide-Fusika duly informed the court that my absence was solely for consultations with him, yet the judge proceeded to order my remand regardless. I need hardly say that I am the least bothered by this development.
   
“Imprisonment has never defeated a just cause, and it never will. I urge the Nigerian people and all our comrades to remain resolute, steadfast, and unyielding in the quest for a genuine revolution that will liberate our country from oppression, injustice, and misrule. The struggle continues. Victory is certain.”
   
In a statement yesterday, signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA argued that the prosecution was unnecessary and urged authorities to allow public debate and criticism to be addressed through democratic channels.
  
The rights group noted that the activist’s legal troubles stemmed from his social media comments, maintaining that government officials have adequate communication channels and personnel to respond to criticism without resorting to criminal prosecution.
   
Faulting the court’s decision, the organisation said that the available information indicated that the accused communicated his inability to attend the proceedings by submitting a letter to the court registry explaining his travel constraints.
   
Moreover, the group noted, “We are aware that even when persons accused of large-scale corruption and economic crimes seek adjournments, courts often grant such requests. Why is Sowore being treated differently?”