Amnesty International asks Nigerian govt to end ‘relentless harassment’ of Sowore

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to immediately end what it described as relentless harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore.

The global human rights body said this in a statement published on its X handle early Wednesday in reaction to ongoing trial of Sowore for alleged terrorism financing, money laundering and other fraudulent activities by the Police.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had yesterday ordered six banks to furnish the police with details of bank accounts linked to Sowore and his companies to facilitate his investigation for alleged funding of terrorism and money laundering.

However, Amnesty International described the charges of terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities as ‘trumped up by Nigeria’s Inspector General Police against Sowore solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.

It decribed Sowore’s arraignment as another attempt to crackdown on his human rights. “This travesty of justice must stop.

“Authorities must immediately drop all the charges against him, and end the politically motivated investigation.

“Subjecting bank accounts linked to Sowore and Sahara Reporters to a purported investigation is part of a wider attempt to crackdown on civic space and peaceful dissent in Nigeria. Filing additional charges and fresh case against him is clearly aimed at targeting Sahara Reporters which is an independent medium that upholds freedom of expression and the public interest.

“Nigerian authorities must allow Sowore to freely exercise his human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Apart from putting him through sham trials based on bogus charges, Sowore has been subjected to series of human rights violations including recently allegations of torture and other ill-treatment while in police detention. Nigerian authorities must promptly investigate these allegations and prosecute those suspected to be responsible in fair trial.

“Omoyele Sowore — who was declared Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience in November 2019 has endured repeated arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and other violations of his human rights solely for carrying out peaceful activism for human rights, social justice and the rule of law in the country,” Amnesty International said in the statement.