Sowore may soon assume the status of Prisoner of Conscience, says CSNAC

Network of international human rights organisations and coalitions may  soon adopt detained Publisher of Sahara reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore  as  a “Prisoner of Conscience.”

In a release on Monday, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption  (CSNAC) said it is working with renown rights groups across the world to ensure the Mr Sowore Omoyele is adopted as a Prisoner of Conscience  unless the Federal Government releases the activist without further  delay.

The statement signed by CSNAC Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, expressed  shock that the Nigerian authorities were making frivolous charges  against Mr Sowore who has been in custody since August 5.

The group also called for the release of Olawale Bakare, a member of  Revolution Now arrested in Osogbo, Osun State on August 5, Publisher of  Cross Rivers Watch, Mr Agba Jalingo and Ekanem Ekpo. The last two were  arrested by the police and are yet to be taken to court.

CSNAC said ‘Reputable international right groups will soon adopt Mr  Sowore as a Prisoner of Conscience unless the Federal Government release him immediately.

He said “The continous detention of Mr Sowore  is an embarrassment to  Nigeria as a country. Everywhere we visit across the world people are  asking questions about Mr Sowore’s detention. Many people do not  understand the logic of laying charges of treason against Sowore simply  because he used the word revolution. His incarceration continues to put  a question mark on the credibility of the Nigerian government. Democracy  dies when the culture of debate and the tradition of protest are lost.”

CSNAC said the Nigerian government has beyond imaginations embarrassed  itself by charging Mr Sowore for ‘insulting the President’.

“It is even more ridiculous that he is being charged for insulting Mr President and also for money laundering where money was legitimately transferred through the financial institutions. These are frivolous charges aimed at seeking justification for his illegal arrest and continuous detention.”

CSNAC said from indications, the Nigerian government is desperate to press charges against Sowore and ensure he is jailed at all cost.

Suraju said Sowore is being hunted in part, due to series of publications in Sahara Reporters that consistently exposed corrupt practices in this and previous governments.

“Sowore is obviously a victim of vengeance. Corrupt politicians and  security chiefs whose dirty deals have consistently been exposed by Sahara reporters are looking for ways to settle scores. They think by
bringing down Sowore, Sahara reporters will die.

“It’s an illusion to think by keeping Sowore in jail, Sahara Reporters  will be off the global network. This is a mistake because Sahara  Reporters has assumed the status of an independent entity.”

CSNAC dismissed the charge of money laundering by the Department of  State Security, (DSS) saying it is an attempt to blackmail Sahara  Reporters and its publisher.

Sowore was arrested on August 5 in Lagos. The FG had obtained ex parte  order granting his detention for 45 days.

After keeping him for almost two months, he was charged for insulting  President Mohammadu Buhari during a life programme on AriseTV. The  government also accused him of treason.

He was also charged for transferring the sun of  $19,975 from his  personal account to Sahara Reporters.