Amnesty International demands Sowore’s immediate, unconditional release

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, saying he is being detained for peacefully exercising his fundamental rights.

According to the rights group, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail and the bench warrant issued against him.

In a message on X, the group said Sowore is facing cyberbullying charges over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

The organisation said: “Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention of Sowore and the broader pattern of crackdown on civic space, and intimidation and harassment of activists, human rights defenders, and journalists solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”

It further warned that: “Sowore’s continued detention risks undermining the rights to freedom of expression, association, and civic participation, and will have a chilling effect on civil society organisations, journalists, and human rights defenders working to promote transparency and accountability in the country.”

Amnesty argued that Sowore’s detention is linked to the peaceful expression of his views and criticism of public officials, rights it said are protected under Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights agreements to which the country is a signatory.

The organisation urged authorities to release him and withdraw what it described as baseless charges while ensuring compliance with fair trial standards and due process.

Amnesty stressed that freedom of expression remains essential in a democratic society, saying journalists, activists, human rights defenders and political commentators should be able to express opinions and criticise government policies without fear of arrest or retaliation.

It also cautioned against using the criminal justice system to punish lawful expression, saying such actions discourage public participation, shrink civic space and weaken confidence in the rule of law.

The group called on Nigerian authorities to respect the right to free expression, including criticism of public officials, and avoid using legal processes to intimidate or silence critics.

It added that no one should lose their liberty simply for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.