Consistent Targeting Of Sowore In Nigeria Must End Now –Amnesty International
the organisation referred to Sowore’s trial as a ‘sham’, asserting that the allegations of cybercrime and cyberstalking are baseless.
Amnesty International has condemned the consistent targeting of Nigerian human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the charges against him.
In a statement released on its X handle on Tuesday, the organisation referred to Sowore’s trial as a ‘sham’, asserting that the allegations of cybercrime and cyberstalking are baseless.
The statement reads, “Amnesty International and its volunteers were at the Federal High Court Abuja on 23 Sept. 2024, in solidarity with human rights defender Omoyele Sowore; who is facing a sham trial on the bogus charges of cybercrime and cyber stalking.”
“Consistent targeting of Sowore must end now,” the international organisation said.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International expressed solidarity with Sowore during his court proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
Sowore, a vocal critic of the Nigerian government, has faced multiple legal actions.
Sowore was in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday over the charges bordering on alleged defamation and cyber-stalking suit filed against him and SaharaReporters Media Group by the FCT Commissioner of Police on behalf of Senator Ned Nwoko.
However, the matter which came up before Justice Emeka Nwite was adjourned to November 21.
Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, at the last adjournment on May 2 objected to the move by the court to proceed with the trial and force his client to take plea for the 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.
Ned had petitioned Sahara Reporters Foundation and Mr. Omoyele Sowore for criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news known to be false contrary to section 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, and 418 of the Penal code of Northern Nigeria through his lawyers, Trifold Law & Partners.
The petition signed by Bryan U. Ukaegbu on behalf of the law firm accuses Sowore of making several defamatory statements on the news platform and social media handles, aimed at running down their client’s business and political career.
On May 2, Sowore addressed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, informing the court that the police actions against him were an insult.
