JUST IN: Tension at Abuja High Court as #EndBadGovernance protesters demand Sowore’s release

Protesters under the #EndBadGovernance movement gathered at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore.

The demonstration was met with a heavy police presence, leading to accusations of intimidation by security forces.

A protester expressed frustration over the situation, criticizing the authorities for what he described as misplaced priorities. “Instead of addressing pressing issues affecting Nigerians, they are focused on silencing dissenting voices,” he remarked.

The protesters maintained that Sowore’s arrest and prosecution over comments made on social media highlight growing concerns about the shrinking space for free speech in Nigeria.

“Police officers are here to intimidate protesters. Meanwhile, Abuja is burning. Look at them gathered here instead of being deployed to crime hotspots. This shows the seriousness of this government and the illegal Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. If he were serious, he would send his men to tackle crime, not to harass peaceful demonstrators,” the protester said.

READ ALSO: ‘illegal IG’ : Police arraign Sowore today over #Endsars comment

The demonstrators insisted that Sowore, who has been detained, should either be brought before the court immediately or released if no formal charges had been filed against him.

“What we are asking is that Sowore should be brought before a court now. Stop detaining him and breaching his right to liberty if you have no charges against him. Free Sowore now!” another protester demanded.

Beyond Sowore’s case, the protesters also called for an end to what they termed the weaponization of the judiciary against government critics.

“We are also asking for the striking out of all cases against critics of this government. All critics who were unjustly tried in this country should have their cases struck out. The authorities should focus on serious matters instead of chasing trivialities,” the protester added.

Despite the heavy security presence, the protesters vowed to continue their advocacy until their demands were met.

Platinumpost reports that Sowore was summoned over multiple allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking and acts allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.

However, in a statement on X.com on Monday, he claimed that his summons was politically motivated, linking it to his public criticism of Egbetokun’s tenure extension.

Sowore later revealed that he had been granted bail following an engagement with the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.

Despite this, he maintained that he would reject any bail conditions that he believed would compromise his “innocence, dignity, and integrity.”

On Tuesday, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, confirmed that the police would be arraigned the rights activist on Wednesday(today).

“The police have procured charges to arraign Omoyele Sowore before Justice Liman at the Federal High Court tomorrow,” Abubakar said.

(Punch)