By Abidemi Samuel
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Pro-democracy campaigner and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has made a surprising decision to remain in detention despite being granted bail by the court. The Nigeria Police Force has requested that I deposit my International Passport and provide a level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for bail, but I have declined these conditions and opted to remain in police custody.
Sowore, who has been in custody since August 2019, has vowed to stay in detention to protest the “unjust” conditions attached to his bail.The activist was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for organizing a nationwide protest tagged “Revolution Now,” which aimed to demand good governance and an end to corruption in Nigeria.
Sowore was subsequently charged with treason, money laundering, and cyberstalking, among other offenses.Despite the court’s decision to grant him bail, Sowore has chosen to remain in detention, citing the stringent conditions attached to his release.
The activist has argued that the conditions are “unjust” and would compromise his fundamental human rights.Sowore’s decision to defy the bail has been hailed by his supporters as a bold move to challenge the government’s attempt to silence him.
His lawyers have also expressed solidarity with their client’s decision, stating that they would continue to challenge the “oppressive” conditions of the bail.The development has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians praising Sowore’s courage and conviction. The hashtag #FreeSowore has been trending on Twitter, with many users calling for the activist’s unconditional release.
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