SERAP Demands Withdrawal of Charges Against Sowore

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the lawyer for Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, have urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to withdraw the criminal charges against Sowore or transfer the prosecution to the Attorney-General of the Federation. This demand follows the DSS's announcement that it would suspend Sowore's prosecution until after the 2027 presidential election, as stated by DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi.

SERAP, through its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, criticized the decision to adjourn the case, arguing that it does not resolve the underlying issues with the prosecution. They emphasized that the charges against Sowore, stemming from his comments about President Bola Tinubu, represent a misuse of criminal law to silence dissent.

SERAP called for the immediate withdrawal of charges, warning that the ongoing prosecution sends a chilling message to critics of the government as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.