Adeyanju Condemns Sowore’s Bail Revocation, Urges Tinubu To Drop Charges

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has criticised the revocation of the bail granted to activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing the court’s decision as “too harsh” under the circumstances.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Adeyanju argued that Sowore had demonstrated respect for the judicial process, noting that he was present in court on the previous adjourned date when the court did not sit and had also written to seek an adjournment.

He further pointed out that Sowore currently has no counsel formally representing him in the case.

THE WHISTLER reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Sowore over his absence from proceedings in which he faces cyberbullying charges for calling President Bola Tinubu “a criminal” in social media posts last year.

The judge, Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on an oral application by the prosecution lawyer, Akinkolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), also issued a bench warrant for Mr Sowore’s arrest.

But Adeyanju argued that, “The decision to revoke Omoyele Sowore’s bail appears rather harsh in the circumstances.

“Having previously granted him bail on self-recognisance, the court ought to have given greater consideration to the fact that he was present in court on the previous adjourned date when the court did not sit, had written to seek an adjournment, and currently has no counsel on record formally representing him,” Adeyanju said.

He added that Sowore had previously faced more serious allegations, including treasonable felony charges, without absconding, making it difficult to conclude that he would evade trial over the current case.

According to him, “The courts must always be guided by the presumption of innocence, particularly where a defendant has not shown a pattern of disregard for the judicial process.”

Adeyanju also cautioned that both the court and the prosecution should avoid actions that could create the impression that the legal proceedings are intended to prevent Sowore from participating in the next general election.

Appealing to President Bola Tinubu and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeyanju urged the Federal Government to discontinue the charges against Sowore.

“I call on President Bola Tinubu, who was a fervent critic as an opposition leader, and the Director-General of the DSS to discontinue the charge against Omoyele Sowore in the interest of pluralism and justice,” he stated.