According to the group, recent developments surrounding Sowore’s case go beyond a routine legal dispute and represent “a dangerous escalation in the shrinking of civic space” in the country.
The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION) has strongly condemned the detention of human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, describing his incarceration as a grave threat to democracy and evidence of a growing crackdown on dissent in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by its Convener, Hauwa Mustapha, the group criticised the revocation of Sowore’s bail and his subsequent remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the group, recent developments surrounding Sowore’s case go beyond a routine legal dispute and represent “a dangerous escalation in the shrinking of civic space” in the country.
MOTION stated that the detention of a journalist, activist and opposition figure under circumstances that raise concerns about fair hearing, proportionality and the protection of fundamental rights sends “a disturbing message to all Nigerians who dare to speak, organize, protest, publish, or hold government accountable.”
