The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has joined other civil society groups, human rights advocates, and pro-democracy organisations to demand the immediate release of human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, from detention.
SERAP in a post on X, wrote: “Free Sowore, drop charges”.
It would be recalled that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) had condemned the alleged assault and manhandling of Sowore by security operatives within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CISLAC Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, described reports of Sowore’s treatment following court proceedings that revoked his bail and ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Facility as deeply troubling and inconsistent with democratic norms and the rule of law.
According to Rafsanjani, the reported events have raised serious concerns about respect for fundamental human rights, due process, and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
He stressed that every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, status, or personal views, is entitled to fair treatment and protection under the law.
The CISLAC boss further expressed concern over the deployment and conduct of heavily armed security personnel within the courtroom environment, noting that such actions could be interpreted as prejudging guilt or subjecting a defendant to punishment before conviction.
He warned that the presence of heavily armed operatives in and around judicial proceedings could undermine public confidence in the independence and neutrality of the courts.
According to him, the credibility of the rule of law depends not only on legal procedures but also on public confidence in the fairness and neutrality of judicial processes.
Sowore is being tried by the Department of State Services for calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal.
