Nurses Demand Global Visa Ban On Justice Umar Over Sowore’s Detention
The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has called for a global visa ban on Justice Mohammed Umar and other judicial and security officials allegedly involved in what it described as the abuse of power and violation of the rights of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The group also condemned what it termed the continued persecution of Sowore, warning that Nigeria was drifting towards a “civilian dictatorship” under President Bola Tinubu, characterised by intolerance of dissent and the alleged misuse of state institutions.
In a statement issued by the National Coordinator of the forum, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the Forum accused the Federal Government of using security agencies to intimidate and prosecute citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
According to the group, the continued prosecution of Sowore amounts to “a dangerous assault on democracy, civil liberties and the rule of law.”
The ENF noted that Sowore belonged to a generation of pro-democracy activists who risked their lives during military rule in pursuit of democratic governance and accountability.
Olamide said, “While many of today’s political elites sought refuge abroad during those difficult years, individuals like Sowore stood their ground and paid enormous personal sacrifices in the struggle for the democracy Nigerians enjoy today.
“It is therefore both tragic and ironic that some of those who played little or no visible role in the democratic struggle are now presiding over the steady erosion of the very freedoms that brave Nigerians fought and suffered to secure.”
The group expressed concern over what it described as Nigeria’s shrinking civic space, alleging that arbitrary arrests and politically motivated prosecutions were becoming more common while freedom of expression and citizens’ rights to hold public officials accountable were under increasing threat.
It also criticised the reported conduct of Justice Umar, particularly allegations that he ordered a lawyer to kneel in open court, an action that has drawn criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which said such an order is not recognised under Nigerian law and falls short of acceptable judicial standards.
“A courtroom must remain a temple of justice, dignity, fairness and respect for the rights of all persons. Judicial authority must never be exercised in a manner that creates the impression of intimidation, humiliation or abuse of power,” Olamide said.
“The judiciary derives its legitimacy not from fear but from public confidence, impartiality and adherence to the rule of law.”
The forum further argued that growing intolerance of criticism under the current administration had raised fears that constitutional democracy was being undermined.
It warned that democracy could not survive where critics were criminalised and state institutions were allegedly used to suppress opposing voices.
Among its demands, the group called for the immediate cessation of what it described as politically motivated persecution of Sowore and other human rights activists.
It also urged Justice Mohammed Umar to recuse himself from all matters involving Sowore to preserve public confidence in the impartiality of the judicial process.
The ENF further called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct against the judge and impose appropriate disciplinary measures if any violations of judicial ethics were established.
The group appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, labour unions, student groups and professional bodies to collectively defend democratic freedoms and constitutional rights.
It also urged the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), foreign diplomatic missions and global human rights organisations, to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and speak against alleged violations of democratic principles.
The forum further called on foreign governments to scrutinise any public officials or judicial officers found through lawful processes to have committed serious abuses of power or violations of fundamental rights and consider appropriate diplomatic measures, including visa restrictions.
It urged the Federal Government to recommit itself to democratic values, judicial independence, respect for human rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law.
The group maintained that history would not be kind to those who sought to suppress freedoms secured through the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists.
It added that democracies are weakened gradually whenever citizens remain silent in the face of injustice.
Declaring solidarity with Nigerians demanding accountability, justice and genuine democratic governance, the forum stated, “An injury to one is an injury to all.”
The statement comes amid growing criticism over the detention and prosecution of Sowore for allegedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Justice Mohammed Umar had ordered that Sowore be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application on June 24, 2026.
Following the ruling, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) initially took Sowore from the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja before officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service later assumed custody and conveyed him to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
