By Abiola Olawale
After a litigation saga which lasted more than four years, the Federal Government has announced its decision to drop the treasonable felony case instituted against the popular activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.
This was made available in a document issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The document dated February 15, 2024, and addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, Fagbemi said the decision was taken in line with the 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.
In the document, the government also disclosed its intention to discontinue the case against Sowore’s co-defendant, Olawale Bakare aka Mandate.
The document read, “Between 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.”
It would be recalled that Sowore was arrested by DSS operatives at midnight on August 3, 2019. The arrest came two days before a planned #RevolutionNow protest tagged “Days of Rage,” convened by the pro-democracy activist and slated for August 5, 2019.
Following his arrest, he was arraigned by the DSS on several occasions and was later released following sustained pressure.
