Why Sowore has not been freed despite court order – Lawyer

Evelyn Okakwu

A lawyer representing the detained publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has given a reason why Mr Sowore is yet to be free, despite being granted bail by a court on Tuesday.


Mr Sowore’s lawyer, Samuel Ogala, explained during a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Wednesday morning that Mr Sowore is expected to be released on Wednesday, after the defence team signs some legal documents.

“Some documents have to first be signed. We have obtained the court order, so today the necessary documents would be signed before his release,” said Mr Ogala, a lawyer in Femi Falana’s chambers.

The order for Sowore’s release


PREMIUM TIMES reported how a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Taiwo Taiwo, Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Mr Sowore after the prosecution informed the court of its completion of investigations into the allegations against the activist.

The judge said Mr Sowore’s lead counsel, Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, would be responsible for ensuring he appears in court for trial.

“It is therefore ordered that the respondent be released forthwith. But he must deposit his international passport with this court within 48 hours of this order.


“Further, the respondent shall be released to Femi Falana forthwith by the applicant, that is the State Security Service (SSS).

“Femi Falana shall ensure that the respondent is produced for his formal arraignment whenever he or the respondent is notified,” Mr Taiwo said according to the court papers seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

Many Nigerians have since expressed doubt that the SSS and the Buhari adinstration would obey the court order, following the disobedience of earlier ones granted ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.


Sowore’s detention order

Mr Sowore was arrested on August 3 by the SSS for planning a revolutionary protest popularised with the hashtag #RevolutionNow.

The protest took place on August 5, amidst heavy clampdown of protesters and journalists by security agents.

The SSS accused Mr Sowore of plotting to cause chaos and overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari with the protest. The agency obtained an order for his initial detention for a few days.