Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has “strongly condemned the violent re-arrest today of Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare by officials of the State Security Service (SSS), and the apparent harassment and intimidation of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.”

Armed SSS officials reportedly stormed the courtroom, causing pandemonium at the court and physically assaulting Mr Sowore. The judge reportedly had to take cover. She had earlier ordered the SSS to release Sowore within 24 hours and also pay him N100,000 for improper legal conduct. The SSS then released Mr Sowore only for him and his co-defendant to be violently re-arrested.

Reacting, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The appalling invasion of the courtroom and the ill-treatment of Sowore and Bakare is a blatant attack on the rule of law and the sanctity and integrity of our justice system. An independent judiciary, free from intimidation and harassment is a basic precondition to a functioning democracy under the rule of law.”

SERAP’s statement read in part: “The violent re-arrest of Sowore and Bakare right inside the courtroom is a textbook case of a mockery of justice and abuse of the judicial process. It drives home the failure of the Nigerian government to fulfill its constitutional and international human rights obligations to respect citizens’ human rights and observe the rule of law.”

“What happened in the courtroom is a fatal blow to human rights and the independence and integrity of the judiciary. SERAP is seriously concerned that the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is not observing fundamental international human rights and due process standards.”

“We urge the Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and Bakare and end the fragrant attack on the rule of law. “If Nigerian authorities are serious about human rights and the rule of law, they should hold those responsible to account. Only then will Nigerians have full confidence in this government’s ability to protect their human rights, obey the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.”

“The United Nations Human Rights Council, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and members of the international community should urgently put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to end serious violations and abuses of human rights and threats to the rule of law in Nigeria.”

http://serap-nigeria.org/sowore-serap-condemns-re-arrest-invasion-of-justice-ojukwus-court.ngo/

Ok

I'm one person who find this Headline very confusing. Please was this Before or After His release?

Is our constitution still working?

SERAP Sharap

Look at how the DSS guy is holding Sowore to the floor like a Landlord who just found his tenant that owes him one year rent. Lol

DSS are coming for your head

Brandstudio01:
I'm one person who find this Headline very confusing. Please was this Before or After His release?

He was released on Thursday, appeared in court on Friday and was rearrested.

Buhari shld prove to us that he has no hand in this Court invasion saga.

This is a disgrace to our democracy and Judiciary.

This is an abuse of power by whoeva ordered the invasion of the Court of law.

This is tyrany that shld be condemd by all

Haw many DSS for one person hmm

Has been breaking the law for some time... Now Wat is their point

Wetn be serap abi sharap always condemning and nothing is bn done.. Hustle oh make person no deceive say this country go good