After months of blistering international pressures, the federal government has ordered the release of Pro-democracy Campaigner, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami announced the directive in a statement on Tuesday.
Malami said the decision to release Dasuki and Sowore was in compliance with the bails granted the two by the court.
“The office of the honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore.
“Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the Defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
“However, my office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.
“In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the defendants and effect their release.
“The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.
“I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria.”
Sowore who has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since August 3 was released on December 5, 2019 after spending 125 days in custody. But less than 24 hours after his release, the men of DSS rearrested Sowore inside the Abuja court on December 6, desecrating the temple of justice.
The court desecration by the DSS operatives has further piled up international pressure on the Nigerian government as reactions from the global community continue to come in like a flood tide.
Members of the global community who have waded in include the European Union, the U.S government, serving U.S Senators and House of Representatives members and Amnesty International among scores of Diplomats with global appeal.
Recall that Nigeria is a signatory to strategic international protocols including on Rule of Law, freedom of expression and fundamental human rights.
Only yesterday the United States government sent a delegation to monitor and observe the trial of Sowore, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Political Officer of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Marcus Thornton, was seen exchanging pleasantries with Sowore’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), after the day’s proceeding.
This comes after some US lawmakers last week wrote a letter to Nigeria’s Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice, over the rearrest and continued detention of Sowore by the DSS.
Also, Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser, has been held for about four years despite surplus Court orders that he should be released on bail.
He is being prosecuted for his alleged role in the misappropriation of $2.1bn meant for the purchase of military hardwares while serving under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
