Human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar and Amnesty International have condemned the continued detention of activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and founder of Sahara Reporters, was reportedly arrested last week under unclear circumstances. His detention has drawn widespread criticism from civil society, legal advocates, and international rights groups.
Abubakar described the arrest as “unlawful, vindictive, and a violation of due process,” stressing that Sowore is being held without formal charges well beyond the time permitted by law.
“The continued detention of Mr. Omoyele Sowore is not only unconstitutional but also a direct affront to the rule of law and the principles of democracy,” Abubakar said. “We demand his immediate and unconditional release.”
Joining in the outcry, Amnesty International issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as arbitrary detention and persistent harassment of the journalist.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and drop all bogus and politically motivated charges against him,” Amnesty International said.
“Apart from putting him through sham trials, Sowore has been subjected to a series of human rights violations. Since 2019, he has faced arbitrary detentions and unfair trials solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.”
In November 2019, Amnesty International declared Sowore a Prisoner of Conscience after he was detained for his peaceful activism. The organization emphasized that his case reflects how far Nigerian authorities are willing to go to silence peaceful dissent.
“Authorities should listen to critics instead of seeking to gag them through outright abuse of power,” the statement continued. “They must allow Sowore to freely exercise his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
As legal efforts to secure Sowore’s release continue, activists and human rights defenders across Nigeria and internationally are calling for greater accountability and an end to the misuse of state power to intimidate critics.
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