Sowore’s detention undermines fair trial, free speech — Gani Adams, Odumakin

Nigerian rights advocates Gani Adams and Joe Odumakin have strongly condemned a Federal High Court's decision to remand Omoyele Sowore, a presidential candidate and activist, in detention. The court revoked Sowore's bail on charges of cyberstalking and criminal defamation, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from those who see it as an attack on fundamental freedoms.

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The decision to remand Sowore in Kuje Prison, especially under the guise of a cyberstalking and criminal defamation case, is a dangerous signal to all Nigerians who dare to speak truth to power.

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, described the detention as a "troubling precedent" that could undermine fair trial and freedom of expression in Nigeria. He warned that using the judiciary to silence dissent or intimidate activists and journalists sends a "dangerous signal" to citizens who speak truth to power. Adams urged the government and judiciary to uphold citizens' rights to fair legal processes and respect constitutional guarantees of free speech, stating that Nigeria's democracy depends on its commitment to justice and human rights.

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We must not allow the judiciary to be used as a tool to silence dissent or intimidate activists and journalists.

Echoing these concerns, Joe Odumakin, President of the Centre for Change (CFC), labeled the charges under the Cybercrime Act as a "direct attack on free speech and political dissent." She criticized the treatment of Sowore by the Department of State Services within the court premises and insisted he neither jumped bail nor intended to flee. Odumakin questioned the impartiality of the presiding judge, noting Sowore's request for his recusal, and argued that "justice cannot be seen to be done when defendants are denied basic procedural safeguards."

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Nigeria’s democracy is only as strong as its commitment to justice and human rights. We urge all stakeholders to ensure that Sowore’s trial is conducted transparently and justly, without political interference or intimidation.

Both advocates called for Sowore's immediate release and the withdrawal of the charges. They emphasized that Sowore's detention is not just an attack on an individual but on the right of every Nigerian to speak freely without fear of reprisal. Their statements underscore a growing concern among civil society groups about the state of democratic freedoms and judicial independence in Nigeria.

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Criminalising free speech sets a dangerous precedent for our fledgling democracy. A healthy democratic culture thrives on criticism, debate and accountability.