Amnesty International (AI) on Saturday called on Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release activist Omoyele Sowore and others who were arrested by the police during a New Year’s eve peaceful protest in Abuja.
The international human rights watch said the arrest solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly was a flagrant violation of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It added that Sowore’s continued detention was a matter of concern, adding that his case showed just how far Nigerian authorities could go to silence peaceful dissents.
Amnesty International further stated that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must stop targeting activists and respect the human rights of everyone.
Amnesty International also called on the authorities to carry out a prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into allegations of torture and other ill-treatment during the period leading to and following the arrest of Sowore and other activists, and for anyone suspected to be responsible to be brought to justice in fair trials.
It said Omoyele Sowore was an Amnesty International’s Prisoner of Conscience “who is facing unfair trials on the basis of bogus and politically-motivated charges.”
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
