RevolutionNow: FG Drops Treason Case Against Sowore

The Federal Government has withdrawn the treasonable felony case instituted against the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.

This was made known in a document by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

The document which was dated February 15, 2024, was addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division.

In the document, the government  disclosed its intention to also discontinue the case against Sowore’s co-defendant, Olawale Bakare aka Mandate.

According to the document, “Between Federal Republic of Nigeria – (complainant) and Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare aka Mandate (defendants).

“Notice of discontinuance. By virtue of the power conferred on me under Section 174 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Aet 2015 and all other powers enabling me on that behalf, I, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN intend to discontinue Charge No FHC/ABI/CR/235/2019.

“Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”

Sowore was arrested on August 3, 2019, by the SSS for planning a protest popularised with the hashtag, #RevolutionNow.

The protest took place on August 5, amidst heavy clampdown of protesters and journalists by security agents.

The SSS accused Sowore of plotting to cause chaos and overthrow ex-president Muhammadu Buhari. The Nigerian government filed a seven-count charge against him and a co-accused, Bakare.