TheCable

Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), a Nigerian rights coalition, has asked the police to release Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement.

The coalition requested Sowore’s release in a statement signed by Olanrewaju Suraju, its chairman.

Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was arrested on December 31 for leading a crossover protest in Abuja.

The HEDA chairman said Sowore’s arrest was targeted at worsening his ordeal in the hands of government since his first arrest in 2019.

He said the police should have granted Sowore bail but has instead kept him detained and compelled him to spend the crossover night behind bars.

The group said it may be have no alternative but to renew another global campaign that will embarrass the Nigerian government if Sowore is not released or charged to a competent court of law.

The group also said Sowore is a victim of political persecution because of his online criticism of the Nigerian authorities.

“We call for the unconditional release of the Sahara Reporters publisher, Mr Omoyele Sowore. He was arrested on December 31 and has yet to be taken to court. The police should release him without any further delay,” Suraju said.

“Since 2019, the Nigerian government has been keeping Sowore in detention on trumped up charges. His recent ordeal leading to his arrest on New Year’s eve is in furtherance of a plot to ensure his continuous incarceration by the Nigerian government.”

In August 2019, Sowore spent 141 days in detention after being arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS) for planning a nationwide protest.

He was eventually granted bail, with a condition restricting him from travelling out of Abuja.