Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to immediately and unconditionally release activist and publi...
Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to immediately and unconditionally release activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, describing his detention as arbitrary and a violation of his fundamental human rights.
The human rights organisation made the demand on Monday following an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja remanding Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his motion seeking to stay the court's earlier decision revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant against him.
Justice Mohammed Umar reportedly ordered Sowore's remand after a brief ruling.
Sowore is facing cyberbullying charges over social media posts made last year in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as "a criminal."
In a statement, Amnesty International expressed deep concern over what it described as the growing crackdown on civic space in Nigeria, alleging that activists, journalists and human rights defenders are increasingly being intimidated and harassed for exercising their constitutional rights.
The organisation argued that Sowore's detention was solely linked to the peaceful expression of his views and criticism of public officials, rights it said are guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
According to Amnesty International, the continued detention of the activist poses a serious threat to freedom of expression, association and civic participation, warning that it could create a chilling effect on journalists, civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to promote transparency and accountability.
The rights group further urged Nigerian authorities to withdraw what it described as "baseless charges" against Sowore, insisting that the government must respect due process and comply with international fair trial standards.
Amnesty International maintained that freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of any democratic society governed by the rule of law, stressing that journalists, activists and political commentators should be free to express opinions and criticise government policies without fear of arrest or intimidation.
The organisation also warned against what it called the misuse of the criminal justice system to silence critics, saying such actions undermine public confidence in the rule of law and weaken civic space.
It called on the authorities to uphold constitutional freedoms by refraining from using criminal prosecution or judicial processes to intimidate, harass or silence individuals peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Amnesty International added that the Nigerian government must demonstrate its commitment to human rights and the rule of law by ensuring that no one is deprived of liberty simply for peacefully expressing their opinions.
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