The detained publisher of Sahara Reporter and ex-presidential candidate in February 2019 election, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, may have to remain in custody longer than envisaged for convening a revolution protest to oust President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order to keep Sowore in custody for 90 days.
Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) was arrested on Saturday by the DSS ahead of the August 5, 2019 #RevolutionNow protest which he co-convened with others.
DSS’ lawyer, G.O. Abadua, appeared before Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Tuesday to move the agency’s ex parte application for detention of the activist for 90 days.
After moving the application, the judge adjourned ruling till Thursday.
He said the adjournment would afford him the time to watch the video evidence attached to the application by the security agency.
The police on August 6, 2019 arraigned six persons arrested in Lagos on Monday during the #RevolutionNow protest.
The protesters were arraigned on two counts bordering on unlawful assembly before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ebute Metta.
The defendants are Ehis Omoshomio, Gabriel Ojumah, Sanyaolu Juwon, Amobi Stanley, Elias Ozikpu, and Nnachukwu Kenechukwu.
The police told the court that the defendants unlawfully assembled themselves “in such manner as to cause fear and disturb the public peace”.
The prosecutor, Anota Oluseye, said the defendants acted contrary to and were liable to be punished under sections 44 and 168 (1) (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following a bail application by their lawyer, Mr. Stanley Imhanruor, the magistrate admitted the 2nd defendant, a lawyer, to bail on self-recognisance, while the five others were admitted to N100,000 bail each with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The court adjourned until September 26, 2019 for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, various political pressure organisations and civil society groups have demanded the release of Sowore.
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum condemned the arrest and the clamp down on protests.
PANDEF National Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade, said: “PANDEF equally condemns the actions of the Nigeria Police Force for describing the planned protests as treasonable felony and acts of terrorism.”
The Executive Director, United Global Resolve for Peace, Shalom Olaseni, described Sowore’s incarceration as needless, ill-advised and a restraint against criticism.
MM/GIK/APA