Sowore: Court Summons DSS, IGP

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have been summoned by Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos over the arrest and detention of the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore.

In a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, Justice Oweibo said the DSS and IGP must before before him on September 4, 2019 to give reasons why he should not order them to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and other arrested protesters.

Ogungbeje who also participated in the protest described the arrests of Sowore and others as illegal and urged the court to order their immediate release.

The lawyer said,“There has been a grave constitutional infraction committed by the respondents against the applicant and other persons who engaged in the peaceful protest for good governance in Nigeria.

“I was deprived of my constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful assembly and association and the right to freedom of expression.

“On the 3rd of August, 2019, the convener of the protest, Mr Omoyele Sowore’s residence was forcefully invaded and put under siege. He was arrested, whisked away and detained in the detention facility of the 2nd respondent (DSS).

“Mr Omoyele Sowore has not committed any offence known to law to warrant the infringement and likely infringement of his rights by the respondents.

“By  engaging in the peaceful protest, the applicant and other persons have not committed any offence known to law to warrant the treatment meted out to them by the respondents and their agents.”