Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the detention of human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, describing the arrest as arbitrary, politically motivated, and a violation of fundamental rights.
The group, in a statement issued via its official 𝕏 handle late Wednesday, called on Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore, warning that the continued clampdown on dissent undermines freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the country.
Naija News reported earlier that Sowore appeared at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday in response to an invitation from the Nigeria Police Force.
The Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit is investigating Sowore for alleged forgery and inciting disturbance.
However, Amnesty described the charges as bogus and politically motivated, accusing the police of using the legal system to stifle dissent and intimidate government critics.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and drop all bogus and politically motivated charges against him,” Amnesty’s statement read.
“The authorities should listen to critics instead of seeking to gag them through outright abuse of power. Nigerian authorities must allow Sowore to freely exercise his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
Amnesty said Sowore has been repeatedly subjected to sham trials and human rights violations since 2019.
Sowore Declared Prisoner of Conscience
The organisation recalled that it had designated Sowore a “Prisoner of Conscience” in 2019 following his initial detention, describing his case as symbolic of Nigeria’s crackdown on peaceful dissent.
“The case of Sowore shows just how far the authorities in Nigeria can go to silence peaceful dissent,” Amnesty International said.
Naija News reports that the activist’s detention has sparked online outrage and protests, with hashtags like #FreeSoworeNow and #RevolutionNow gaining momentum across social media platforms.
Rights activists and civic groups have also joined the call for his immediate release, accusing the Nigerian police of weaponising the law against freedom of speech.
However, the police have yet to respond to Amnesty’s statement as of the time of filing this report.
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