In spite of international outrage spanning months, the Federal Government has said no external pressure informed President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to order the release of Pro-democracy Campaigner, Omoyele Sowore and Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Speaking with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA) on Thursday, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the duo were freed on “compassionate grounds.”
But despite Malami’s firm declaration, The New Diplomat reported members of the international community have been speaking loud to express their dissatisfaction over the continuous detention of the Pro-democracy Campaigner, Sowore and other detainees as well as alleged attempt to undermine the rule of law.
In recent weeks, condemnations had come from the United States Government, US Congress, European Union and a host of top diplomats from around the world. Recall that selected US senators and members of congress had written to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice, Malami over the continued detention of Sowore, Dasuki and others.
Last month in a letter addressed to the Nigerian Ambassador to US, Sylvanus Nsofor, the US Congress expressed its grave concerns over the trepidation the assault on journalists has caused among Nigerian citizens as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration continues its clampdown on the media, trying to suppress the constitutionally recognised freedom of expression for citizens. The US lawmakers in the letter noted that despite Nigeria’s vantage position on the continent, it has continued to fail the entire black race on Human Rights issues.
Recall last Friday, while reacting to a statement by the US Department of State which listed Nigeria among ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ over its tolerance for “violations of religious freedom, the federal government through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed alleged that “failed politicians and disgruntled elements – some of them supposedly-respected leaders,” are behind the international wrath that the Buhari administration had incurred, bordering on the fundamental rights of citizens.
However, Malami, while giving reasons for their release, insisted that Sowore and Dasuki were released out of government’s volition to uphold the rule of law, noting that the government did not act under any foreign pressure.
“Even if we received any communication from them, that will never be the basis on the part of the Federal Government to obey or disobey court orders emanating from Nigeria,” he said.
“The only reasons for the release of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki revolved around our commitment to the rule of law, obedience to court orders and compassionate grounds
“It is important to understand the fact that as far as the law is concerned and in relation to the Nigerian justice system, one has multiple options after a court has ruled on a matter.”
Interestingly, Malami admitted that the government has right to appeal the bail order, an option many had advised the government to take.
Malami said each of the cases of Dasuki and Sowore were treated on their individual merit and not in relation to one another or any other factors.
He said it was blatant falsehood the claims that Dasuki was detained by Buhari to settle scores.
“The critical question that you may ask should be whether there is a strong suspicion of committing an offence or not.
“If there is a strong suspicion of committing an offence which deserved, as a matter of necessity, to be investigated through legal steps then there was no room for thinking of witch hunting an individual, scoring acrimonies or personal vendetta against anyone.
“The time has now come for Sambo Dasuki and Omoyele Sowore to also enjoy bail based on the merit of their individual cases. They were charged based on their individual cases, taken to court, granted bail and now have been released.
“All the individuals involved were treated fairly and justly; they were taken to court, enjoyed the court’s favourable discretion and they were all released,” Malami said.
