News

Again, despite Sowore meeting bail conditions, SSS fails to release him – Counsel

The  State Security Service (SSS) has again refused to release the
detained publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore despite meeting
his bail conditions.
On Wednesday, the SSS said it had closed for the day, and would not
review a document presented by Sowore’s lawyers showing the bail
conditions had been met, one of the lawyers, Emmanuel Ogala, told
online medium, Premium Times.
Sowore who was arrested on August 3 met all his bail conditions on
Wednesday and the release warrant was signed by the judge, Ijeoma
Ojukwu, Mr Ogala said.
The lawyer added that when they arrived at the office of the State
Security Service however, the SSS officials told them that the office
closed at 3:30 pm.
Sowore, a human rights activist, was arrested and detained on
allegations of treasonable felony after he organised a nationwide
protest with the hashtag #RevelutionNow.
He was granted bail on October 4 for the second time after an initial
bail granted him in September by another judge was not honoured by the
SSS.
Sowore said the conditions for the October 4 bail were stringent and
approached the court for a variation.
Though the court varied Sowore’s second bail on October 21, he could
not immediately meet the new conditions. His lead lawyer, Femi Falana,
informed the court on Wednesday during Sowore’s trial that the
activist had met his bail conditions.
According to Ogala, however, Sowore’s release could not be effected on
Wednesday because of the claim that the secret police had closed for
the day.
SSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, did not return calls and SMS sent to
him on the matter.

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button