Amnesty Urges Nigeria to Stop Harassing Sowore

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Human Rights Watch has urged Nigerian officials to stop what they characterized as ongoing bullying, threats, and targeting of human rights advocate and editor of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore.

A worldwide human rights organization made this comment in a post shared on its X account early Wednesday, responding to the continuing legal proceedings against Sowore concerning accusations of funding terrorism, money laundering, and various financial crimes committed by the police.

A federal high court based in Abuja convened yesterday
requested six banks to provide the police with information about banking accounts
connected with Sowore and his businesses to aid his inquiry into suspected terrorist financing and financial fraud.

Nevertheless, Amnesty International characterized the allegations of terrorist funding, money laundering, and fraud as “fabricated by Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police targeting Sowore exclusively due to his nonviolent assertion of human rights.”

It depicted Sowore’s court appearance as yet another effort to suppress his human rights. “This injustice must come to an end.”

Officials should instantly dismiss all accusations against him and halt the politically driven inquiry.

Carrying out a so-called investigation on bank accounts connected to Sowore and Sahara Reporters is part of a larger effort to suppress civil society and non-violent opposition in Nigeria. Submitting new charges and initiating another legal action against him is evidently intended to target Sahara Reporters, an autonomous media outlet committed to protecting free speech and serving the public good.

Nigerian officials should permit Sowore to fully enjoy his fundamental rights, such as the right to free speech, peaceful gathering, and forming associations.

In addition to subjecting him to fake trials with false accusations, Sowore has faced multiple human rights abuses, including recent claims of torture and mistreatment during his time in police custody. Nigerian officials should quickly look into these reports and bring anyone suspected of involvement before a just court proceeding.

“Omoyele Sowore—who was recognized as an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience in November 2019—has faced multiple unjust arrests, extended imprisonments, and various human rights abuses simply because he engaged in nonviolent advocacy for human rights, social equity, and the rule of law within the nation,” stated Amnesty International in their declaration.