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The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) on Tuesday demanded the immediate release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, condemning his continued detention by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
In a statement signed by RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organization criticized the bail conditions set for Sowore’s release, describing them as illegal.
Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), chose to remain in custody after rejecting the bail conditions. He was taken into custody on Monday in a police van with heavily armed personnel and is currently detained at the IRT detention facility at Abattoir, Abuja.
Nwanguma stated: “RULAAC condemns the continued illegal detention of Omoyele Sowore, a human rights and political activist, based on his rejection of illegal bail conditions.
“The continued detention of Mr. Omoyele Sowore under such stringent and illegal bail conditions is indeed concerning. It reflects a broader issue regarding the adherence to legal standards and citizens’ rights by law enforcement in Nigeria.”
He further emphasized that the insistence on unlawful conditions, despite legal backing from a respected lawyer like Femi Falana and reference to a relevant court ruling, raises questions about the police’s respect for judicial authority.
“The Nigeria Police should prioritize upholding the rule of law and ensure that their actions align with legal standards to foster trust and legitimacy within the system,” Nwanguma added.
RULAAC called on the police to immediately release Sowore in line with legal provisions, stressing that doing so would reaffirm citizens’ rights and help restore public confidence in law enforcement agencies.
“It is essential for all authorities to act within the framework of the law to protect democratic principles and individual freedoms,” Nwanguma concluded.
