The Department of State Services has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order allowing it to keep SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, for 90 days.
Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of African Action Congress in the last election, was arrested on Sunday by operatives of the DSS ahead of the Monday’s #RevolutionNow protest which he co-convened with others.
DSS’ lawyer, G.O. Abadua, appeared before Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Tuesday to move the agency’s ex parte application for detention of the activist for 90 days.
After moving the application, marked FHC/ABJ/915/19, the judge adjourned ruling till Thursday.
He said the adjournment would afford him the time to watch the video evidence attached to the application by security agency.
#RevolutionNow protesters arraigned
Also, the police on Tuesday arraigned six persons arrested in Lagos on Monday during the #RevolutionNow protest convened by the publisher of SaharaReporters, Sowore.
The protesters were arraigned on two counts bordering on unlawful assembly before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ebute Metta.
The defendants are Ehis Omoshomio, Gabriel Ojumah, Sanyaolu Juwon, Amobi Stanley, Elias Ozikpu, and Nnachukwu Kenechukwu.
The police told the court that the defendants unlawfully assembled themselves “in such manner as to cause fear and disturb the public peace.”
The prosecutor, Anota Oluseye, said the defendants acted contrary to and were liable to be punished under sections 44 and 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following a bail application by their lawyer, Mr Stanley Imhanruor, the magistrate admitted the 2nd defendant, a lawyer, to bail on self-recognisance, while the five others were admitted to N100,000 bail each with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The court adjourned till September 26, 2019 for further proceedings.
PANDEF, CSO demand sowore’s release
Meanwhile various political pressure organisations and civil society groups have demanded the release of Sowore.
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum condemned the arrest and the clamp down on protests.
PANDEF National Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade, said, “PANDEF equally condemns the actions of the Nigeria Police Force for describing the planned protests as treasonable felony and acts of terrorism.”
The Executive Director, United Global Resolve for Peace, Shalom Olaseni, described Sowore’s incarceration as needless, ill-advised and a restraint against criticism.
Canada warns nationals
The Government of Canada on Tuesday warned its nationals resident in Nigeria to be careful of some parts of the country it said were prone to violent protests.
It listed such parts of the country to include the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Kaduna “and other cities.”
The advisory partly read, “There is a risk of heightened tensions across the country, specifically in Abuja and Kaduna.
“Regular protests have taken place in central Abuja and other cities since July 2019 and they are expected to continue in August. These protests may turn violent.
“Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place.”