A Federal High Court in Abuja Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
The court, however, asked him to deposit his international passport with it before he is released.
The judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, said the law provides for the freedom of all Nigerians regardless of economic or political status.
He ruled that there was no extant order allowing Sowore’s further detention before the court after the expiration of the 45 days it granted DSS to detain him.
“The order of court has expired. It has not been renewed and cannot be renewed in view of the motion ex-parte earlier withdrawn,” the judge said.
“The liberty of all Nigerians high or low, poor or rich is guaranteed by the constitution.”
“It’s for this end that I’m of the view that the defendant ought to be released forthwith.”
Sowore was arrested by the DSS Saturday, August 3 for planning a nationwide protest tagged #RevolutionNow.
The court gave the ruling after receiving a judicial notice on the conclusion of Sowore’s investigation.
