The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially discontinued the trial of politician and media owner Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant Olawale Bakare, also known as Mandate.
The decision was communicated to the Federal High Court in Abuja through a notice of discontinuance filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The notice, dated February 14 and filed the next day, cited the constitutional powers vested in the Attorney General under Section 174 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, as well as Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Sowore and Bakare were initially arraigned in 2019 before the Federal High Court in Abuja, following their involvement in a protest rally tagged “Revolution Now.” The discontinuation of the trial raises questions about the government’s stance on dissent and political activism.
This development comes as a significant legal and political development, sparking discussions on the implications for freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
The motives behind the sudden decision to discontinue the trial remain unclear, adding an element of intrigue to this unfolding news story.
