It is unfortunate that Buhari now values bandits more than Sowore — Falana

About this time 4 years ago, it was mission accomplished for the APC, Buhari and all who worked so hard to ensure Jonathan was sent back to Otuoke following an election marred by controversies. The victory was still fresh and parties were still being held across the country particularly in Lagos and Katsina state. And you know why.



Among the list of many willing tools used by the APC to navigate its way to power against all odds, Omoyele Sowore and his media outfit Sahara Reporters where among the most lethal arsenals used against Jonathan in the build up to 2015 presidential election.

However, for some unknown reasons, the romance between Sowore and the APC has nosedived in recent months with the latter going as far as mobilizing a #RevolutionNow protest against the Buhari administration, a move that would later have him raided and detained by the DSS.



It is now 47 days since Sowore's arrest and detention. This would mean his 45 days detention order by the Federal High Court has expired. But like other detainees before him, no one knows for sure, when the former darling of the APC will eventually regain freedom since the Buhari administration isn't known for obeying court orders.




This illegal detention has prompted another protest aimed at seeking the release of Sowore alongside other detainees.

Speaking on the issue is Femi Falana (SAN), who accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of human rights violation.


Falana wonders why the Buhari administration finds it easier to negotiate with terrorists but not obey court orders for the release of law-abiding citizens whose only crime is request for accountability from government.


Falana as reported by Sahara Reporters, also condemned the invasion of the secretariat of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and also the Civic Media Lab by security operatives in Lagos State.



He said, “This morning, the Nigeria Police Force invaded the secretariat of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and sealed off the place in Lagos.

“In spite of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, the police had wanted to disrupt and stop the peaceful meeting of law-abiding citizens to discuss the illegal detention of Omoyele Sowore, Agba Jalingo, Abayomi Olawale and scores of others being incarcerated in various detention facilities in the country.


“Contrary to the order of the Federal High Court that Sowore should be detained for 45 days, the Department of State Services has incarcerated him for 47 days.

“Last week, the Federal High Court turned down the application for the renewal of its order for the detention of Agba Jalingo and Ekanem Ekpo for 14 days.



“In spite of the expiration of the detention order of the two journalists, they are being held by the police in Cross River State.

“Mr Abayomi Olawale, who was arrested on August 5, 2019, has been detained for 45 days by the DSS without any court order whatsoever.


“These detainees and scores of others languishing in illegal custody ought to be released forthwith.

“While congratulating the organisers of the symposium for successfully holding the programme at another venue, the harassment of law-abiding citizens cannot be tolerated under a regime that is busy negotiating with bandits and terrorists, bribing them with public funds and granting them amnesty.”