FG can’t continue treason case against AAC National Chairman

FG can’t continue treason case against AAC National Chairman

In a significant development, the Federal Government has officially dropped the treasonable felony case against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and Bakare Olawale, as revealed in a letter dated February 15, 2024, signed by the Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi and obtained by AAC party.

The letter, citing powers under Section 174 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, expresses the government’s intent to discontinue Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/235/2019.

Sowore and others were arrested in 2019 during the “RevolutionNow protest,” advocating for President Buhari’s removal. Subsequently, Sowore and co-defendant Olawale Bakare faced treason charges in the Federal High Court Abuja. Although Sowore had been granted bail during the trial, he was later rearrested.

The government’s management of the case since 2019 faced challenges, marked by the resignation of multiple judges. During this period, Sowore’s international passport was seized by the court, hindering his ability to make international visits, particularly to his family and workplaces in the United States.

Quoting the Attorney General’s letter, it states:

“NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE

By virtue of the power conferred on me under Section 174 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, intend to discontinue Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/235/2019.”

Sowore shared his thoughts on his Facebook page:

“Five years ago, the Federal Government of Nigeria commenced a fruitlessly malicious, tendentious, and idiosyncratic treason trial against me, Olawale Adebayo Bakare (Aka MANDATE), and several other revolutionary comrades across Nigeria. Despite threats, assassination attempts on family members, state-sponsored violence, and targeted attacks by security forces, we stood our ground and began a historic journey to liberate our country.

Today, we have been vindicated on one front – the Nigerian government has terminated its own case against me. However, our struggle for justice and liberty for our compatriots continues. We warned the @MBuhari regime and those who followed his ruinous path that they would face ultimate disgrace before long. We salute our revolutionary comrades. #RevolutionNow”