Not fewer than 50 Civil Society Organizations have come together to sign an agreement calling for the intervention of the United Nations and Africa Union for the immediate and unconditional release of the convener of Revolution Now, Omoyole Sowore, who's being held by the DSS.
The action violates the court order which granted the DSS the right to detain him for 45 days. After the 45 days elapsed, he has however not been released even after a Federal High Court in Abuja asked for his release and served Sowore's lead councel, Femi Falana (SAN) his release permit.
Sowore was arrested since August 3, 2019, after calling for a national protest which he tagged #RevolutionNow. Since then, he has been in DSS custody.
Among civil society organizations who have made their voice heard about the issue are Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Global Voices, Socio-Economic Rights & Accountability Project (SERAP).
Ayode Longe, MRA Programme Director said: “It is antithetical to the tenets of democracy to arrest a man who was merely exercising his constitutional right of assembly, association and expression and the height of impunity to continue to detain him even after a court of competent jurisdiction has granted him bail. The DSS must immediately and unconditionally release Sowore.”
