The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday released the convener of #RevolutionNow Protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and his co-accused, Mr. Olawale Bakare, from its detention.
The release of the two men who are tried for alleged treasonable felony was sequel to an order issued by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja to set them free within the next 24 hours.
They were released at 7.15pm to their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, whom the agency had earlier insisted was not the right person to release the defendants to.
The judge who adjourned the case till today, December 6, for a report of compliance had expressed displeasure at the continued detention of the accused by the agency.
The court also awarded N100, 000 against the prosecution for failing to comply with court orders requesting the release of the defendants and for not serving the defence counsel with necessary documents early enough.
She insisted that the penalty must be paid to the defendants before the commencement of trial.
The DSS cannot constitute itself as a parallel court of law.So it must release the defendants within 24 hours.
“This matter cannot go on. There is no way it can go on, and the adjournment is at your instance,” she said.
Meanwhile, there has been a flurry of reactions in the social media since the two accused regained freedom from the custody of the DSS.
Seyi Gesinde @GhesheS
After the wind there comes calmness! @SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele #Sowore has now been released. Welcome back to your freedom @YeleSowore | This confusion over how many days he spent in #DSS detention, 124? 125? 126? If Dec 5 is inclusive, it is 125 days!
Babasola Kuti @RealSolaKuti
On the day one of Buhari’s slaves Orji Kalu gets convicted it is an Igbo woman Justice Ojukwu that makes headlines by standing firm & demanding that the Daura Secret Service aka DSS release Sowore within 24 hours. I hear he has been released. I celebrate this woman of courage.
SERAP @SERAPNigeria
We urge the Nigerian authorities to immediately drop all the charges against Sowore and Bakare.
The case against Sowore and Bakare should never have been brought in the first, and should have been dropped long ago.
The DSS has just released Sowore and Bakare.
