By John Ogunsemore
Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Nigerian government to stop the alleged persecution of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate, is billed to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja today over allegations of forgery and unlawful dissemination of police communications.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
Sowore had taken to Facebook on Tuesday to announce the court appearance, while inviting the public to attend.
On Tuesday, Justice Nwite granted an ex-parte application filed by the Inspector-General of Police and ordered six banks to provide police authorities with account documents and full transaction details, including inflows and outflows, linked to Sowore from January 2024 to date.
In his ex-parte motion, IGP’s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki argued that Sowore, who is the publisher of Sahara Reporters, is under investigation for alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.
At least 26 bank accounts linked to Sowore and Sahara Reporters are said to be under investigation.
But in a statement issued on Wednesday, Amnesty described the charges against Sowore as “trumped up” and demanded an end to his ordeal.
The global human rights group said, “The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the relentless harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
“Sowore is currently facing multiple trumped up charges and investigation for alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities instituted by Nigeria’s Inspector General Police.
“Sowore’s arraignment today is yet another attempt to crackdown on his human rights. This travesty of justice must stop.”
Amnesty added, “Authorities must immediately drop all the charges against him, and end the politically motivated investigation.”
It explained that subjecting bank accounts linked to Sowore and Sahara Reporters to a purported investigation is part of a wider attempt to crackdown on civic space and peaceful dissent in Nigeria.
“Filing additional charges and 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.
“Apart from putting him through sham trials based on bogus charges, Sowore has been subjected to series of human rights violations including recently allegations of torture and other ill-treatment while in police detention. Nigerian authorities must promptly investigate these allegations and prosecute those suspected to be responsible in fair trial,” Amnesty maintained.
In November 2019, Amnesty declared Sowore a Prisoner of Conscience having endured repeated arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and other violations of his human rights solely for carrying out peaceful activism for human rights, social justice and the rule of law in the country.
The post Amnesty kicks as police arraign Sowore today appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
