The order of detention of activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre has drawn fresh criticism from civil society groups and political figures, who say the case reflects a troubling pattern in the treatment of dissenting voices in Nigeria.
The criticism followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Monday ordering Mr Sowore’s remand pending the determination of an application challenging the revocation of his bail.
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The court also dismissed an application seeking the trial judge’s recusal over allegations of bias.
In a statement on Tuesday, the #EndBadGovernance movement stated that the revocation of Mr Sowore’s bail and his continued detention amounted to what it called a politically motivated prosecution.
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The statement, signed by Hassan Taiwo and Oloye Adegboyega-Adeniji, demanded the withdrawal of all charges against the activist and an immediate end to what it described as judicial harassment.
The group also accused security operatives of attempting to re-arrest Mr Sowore inside the courtroom, describing the incident as an affront to judicial authority and due process.
“The appropriate and honourable thing is for such a judge to recuse himself. Justice is impossible where a judge’s impartiality is evidently compromised,” the statement said.
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It further urged the National Judicial Council to review the conduct of the trial judge, arguing that continued participation in the case could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
Obi, SERAP warn of democratic backsliding
Reacting separately in a statement, Peter Obi described Mr Sowore’s remand as a “dangerous regression for democracy,” warning against what he said was the growing tendency to treat dissent as a security threat.
He said Nigeria’s democracy could only be sustained if fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, were respected without exception.
Mr Obi cautioned that worsening economic hardship and insecurity had already placed pressure on citizens and should not be compounded by restrictions on civic freedoms.
“When we begin to treat citizen critics, activists, and journalists as threats to state survival rather than as partners in accountability, we move dangerously close to authoritarianism,” he added.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project also criticised Mr Sowore’s detention, arguing that he was being held for peacefully expressing dissenting views.
The organisation said the case reflects a wider concern about the shrinking space for civic engagement in Nigeria and called for strict adherence to constitutional safeguards and due process.
READ ALSO: Court remands Sowore in Kuje prison days after revoking bail
Background
Mr Sowore’s detention followed a ruling by Judge Mohammed Umar who ordered his remand after revoking his bail for alleged failure to appear for trial.
The judge also issued a bench warrant for his arrest following an oral application by the prosecution.
The State Security Services (SSS) is prosecuting Mr Sowore over allegations that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” in social media posts.
Tensions in the case escalated after Mr Sowore repeatedly challenged the judge’s handling of the matter and sought recusal on grounds of alleged bias, an application the court dismissed.
The case has been adjourned for hearing of the motion seeking a stay of execution of the bail revocation order.
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