The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) calls on the Federal Government to immediately release Omoyele Sowore, an African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, after an Abuja Federal High Court remand order. Multiple reports say Justice Mohammed Umar remands Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre while the court considers his application for a stay of execution of an earlier decision that revoked his bail. The reports also state that the judge strikes out a separate application by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal, based on allegations of bias.
SERAP says it is concerned about what it describes as an escalating crackdown on rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and media freedom. The group urges authorities to withdraw all criminal defamation and cybercrime charges against Sowore, arguing that the case amounts to punishment for exercising fundamental rights. SERAP also calls for respect for the rule of law and constitutional freedoms, citing broader democratic concerns ahead of future elections. Both outlets present SERAP’s position and the court’s remand ruling as the central developments.
