Human rights groups on Monday called for the release of Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate who ran against President Muhammadu Buhari in an election in February, reported Reuters. Sowore, who faces treason charges, was re-arrested a day after being freed from detention on bail.
The former presidential candidate and founder of the news site Sahara Reporter was first detained in August after he called for revolution. Earlier this year, he claimed that Nigeria’s elections were not credible that followed the re-election of President Buhari.
Sowore had pleaded not guilty to charges of treason, money laundering and harassing the president. Although the court granted him bail in October, he remained in detention until last week because security agents said he had not met the bail conditions.
Sowore was released on bail on Thursday but state security officials rearrested him on Friday. He was seen screaming and shouting while being dragged out of court.
The re-arrest act has sparked nationwide outrage and international criticism against Buhari, who served as the Nigerian President from December 1983 to August 1985 and was elected again in 2015.
Amnesty International and some other rights organizations have appealed for the unconditional release of Omoyele Sowore as per his bail terms and an investigation to be launched into his re-arrest.
The rights groups have urged Buhari to “show accountability as president and Commander-in-Chief and address the nation on his commitment to the rule of law and human rights”.
They warned that if their demands are not met within 14 days they will begin nationwide protests at the National Human Rights Commission’s offices.
On Sunday, the Nigerian Bar Association said Sowore’s re-arrest was a “disgraceful and crass violation” of the court.
President Buhari’s office is yet to comment on the issue.
