The publisher of Sahara Reporters described his inability to be with his family members in the US for five years as “unlawful, unjust, and inhuman detention by the corrupt Nigerian political system since August 2019″.
The PUNCH reports that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in a document dated February 15, 2024, addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, disclosed his intention to also discontinue the case against Sowore’s co-defendant, Olawale Bakare aka Mandate. (https://punchng.com/just-in-fg-discontinues-treason-case-against-sowore/)
The document read, “Between the Federal Republic of Nigeria – (complainant) and Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare aka Mandate (defendants).
“Notice of discontinuance. By virtue of the power conferred on me under Section 174 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Aet 2015, and all other powers enabling me on that behalf, I, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN intend to discontinue Charge No FHC/ABI/CR/235/2019.”
However, Sowore, on Friday, on his Facebook account, criticised the All Progressives Congress government led by former President Muhammadu Buhari for his detention.
In the lengthy post titled, ‘The Struggle Continues: Sowore Departs for USA after Five Years’, he wrote, “Later today, I will be returning to the US after almost five years of my unlawful, unjust and inhuman detention by the corrupt Nigerian political system since August 2019.
“I was arrested, assaulted, tortured, and detained for demanding that Nigerians deserved a nation that they can truly call their own. I was charged with treason – and after five years, the APC government was forced to withdraw its trumped-up charges against me.
“If the government thought that keeping me detained and later restricting my movement would break my spirit and cause me to renounce my commitment to fighting for the downtrodden Nigerian people, they are mistaken.”
Sowore further said that the years of his detention made him miss out on precious moments with his wife and children while his mother’s health deteriorated due to the “unrelenting assault” on him, adding, “My associates have faced arrest, and some imprisonment”.
Continuing, the activist said, “In the last five years, I have been denied the ability to visit my family, missing out on I lost my brother to gunmen on Nigeria’s roads. I stand today to declare that I am unbowed. My commitment to Nigeria is unshakable. My resolve to continue to fight for the betterment of the Nigerian nation and to demand accountability from her leaders will never be compromised.
“Everything we said five years ago about the need for a radical restructuring of the Nigerian nation and the need for a revolution in our approach to politics and governance has come to pass. Corruption remains high and Nigerians are worse off today than they were five years ago. Inflation is making it difficult for people to put food on the table. Nigeria’s currency has been devalued by almost 100 percent.
“I am under no illusions about what the future holds. Over thirty years ago, I committed myself to helping to create a Nigeria that fulfills its promise and realizes its potential. I have suffered greatly for that commitment. My family, colleagues, and associates who have stood by me throughout this journey have also endured great pain and privations.
“For those who wonder what my next steps will be – I say this: I believe now, as I did over 30 years ago when I began this journey, that the vision of creating a just and egalitarian society must be established during my lifetime.
“My trip today to reunite with my children and courageous and supportive wife is only for a short while. I will return to Nigeria to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people from the shackles of the current corrupt, self-serving political class. I will also be returning to face headlong the remaining truckload of bogus criminal and civil cases that have been thrown at me since my detention in 2019,” he maintained.
He thanked his lawyers, colleagues, and revolutionaries at home and abroad who stood for him, including Femi Falana, SAN, while adding that Nigeria will be free of corruption someday.
