SERAP Demands Release of Activist Omoyele Sowore

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Nigerian government to immediately release activist journalist Omoyele Sowore and withdraw all criminal charges against him, including defamation and cybercrime. This appeal follows a remand order issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which has placed Sowore in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application to stay the execution of an earlier bail revocation order.

SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, stated that Sowore's detention is a violation of his fundamental rights, as he was merely exercising his right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The organization criticized the Tinubu administration for its crackdown on journalists and activists, calling for an end to the prosecution of Sowore and others who face arbitrary detention for their legitimate work.

SERAP also urged the government to review laws that restrict free speech and press freedom, aligning them with international human rights standards.