The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw all charges against journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore, describing them as bogus.
SERAP also called on the government to end the continuous harassment and intimidation of Sowore over the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
Deputy Director of the group, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the reported decision by the DSS to seek an adjournment of Sowore’s case until after the 2027 presidential election does not address the fundamental issue.
According to SERAP, the charges should never have been brought in the first place and must now be withdrawn.
Also, Sowore’s lead counsel, Mr Olumide Fusika (SAN), has faulted the agency’s decision to publicise the suspension through a statement without prior notice to the defence team.
He described the approach as inconsistent with established legal practice.
However, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday commended the DSS for suspending the cybercrime prosecution of Sowore.
NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, at a media briefing in Akure, Ondo State capital, described the move as a commendable demonstration of commitment to democracy, fairness, due process, the rule of law, and the integrity of the electoral process.
Similarly, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has backed the decision of the DSS to suspend the prosecution of Sowore.
National President of NAPS, Jimoh Ibrahim Ajadi, said the move would help ensure that all presidential candidates compete on a level playing field.
Meanwhile, Sowore has rejected the move by the DSS to suspend his trial until after the 2027 general elections.
He said that the DSS should completely withdraw the charges, end the trial, and offer a public apology.
Sowore, while speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief yesterday, said the DSS’s request to pause the case shows the agency is trying to hide its failures after realising the trial would not succeed.
He accused the security agencies of trying to control the courts, adding that the DSS lacks the legal right to simply pause a trial it started.
