FG drops treason charges against Sowore
The Federal Government has declared its intention to discontinue the treasonable felony case instituted against Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters.
This was made known in a document by Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Dated February 15, 2024, the document was addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division.
In the document, the government made its intention known to also discontinue the case against Sowore’s co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, aka Mandate.
The document read, “Between the 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.”
In his reaction to this development, Sowore, on his X page, said, “Five years ago, the Federal Government of Nigeria commenced a fruitlessly malicious, tendencious and idiosyncratic treason trial (Persecution) against me and several other revolutionary comrades across Nigeria.
“We stood our ground and began a historic journey to liberate our country, despite threats, assassination of family members, state sponsored violence and targeted attacks by security forces, we promised never to back down.
“Today, we have been vindicated on one front, the Nigerian government has terminated its own case against me, but we will not terminate our struggle for justice and liberty for our compatriots.
“We warned the @MBuhari regime and those who followed his ruinous path that they will face ultimate disgrace before long. We salute our revolutionary comrades. #RevolutionNow”
