Treason: Court strikes out case against Sowore

On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the Federal Government’s treasonable felony charge against Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters and Convener of #RevolutionNow, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare.

Justice Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, dismissed the matter following the withdrawal of A.R. Tahir, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

In his decision, Justice Nwite directed the Department of State Service (DSS) to immediately return three phones and N10,000 confiscated from Sowore during his arrest. He also ordered the release of Sowore’s seized Nigerian passport.

The judge ordered the DSS to release Bakare’s phone as well as the N1,500 confiscated after his arrest.

Last Thursday, the Federal Government informed the court of its decision to end Sowore and Bakare’s trial.

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The decision to terminate the trial was notified to the Federal High Court in Abuja via a notice of discontinuance dated February 14, but filed the next day by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The notice stated that Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN intends to discontinue charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/235/2019 based on his authority under Section 174 (1) (c) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and other relevant provisions.