Singer Banky W adds voice to ruling over detention of Sowore

R&B singer turned politician, Banky W has described the continued detention of the convener of the ‘RevolutionNow’ movement, Omoyele Sowore, by the Department of State Security (DSS) as a clear infringement on basic human rights and a grave injustice.

The musician who was reacting to the ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the DSS to immediately release the pro-democracy activist on bail, said Nigeria has a way of constantly punishing innocent people.

Banky W who shared his thoughts on his Instagram page, also used the opportunity to thank those in the justice system who stood on the right side of history by doing the right thing.

He wrote; “I’m so thankful that our justice system made the right call by granting the release of Omoyele Sowore. Nigeria has a way of punishing the innocent and trampling on the rights, dreams and hopes of the regular citizens.

“Every time our leaders do wrong and get away with it, we lose a little piece of our soul. We become numb, we lose hope, and we subconsciously accept that this is how things are and there’s nothing we can say or do to change it.

“You didn’t need to be a voter or volunteer for Mr Sowore to see that this was clearly an infringement on a basic human right and a grave injustice. Freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest is the unassailable right of every Nigerian citizen.

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“May God bless those in our justice system who stood on the right side of history by doing the right thing. “May God strengthen, comfort and bless Sowore, his wife and family as they have endured the most difficult of times while only being guilty of attempting to speak up for a better Nigeria.”

For planning a nationwide protest themed ‘RevolutionNo’, the DSS had to on August 3 arrested Sowore.

It later went to court and obtained an order to keep the activist in its custody for 45 days.

Just a day to the expiration of the 45 days, DSS filed seven count charges bordering on treasonable felony and money laundering against the journalist and activist.

When the matter came up today (Tuesday), Justice Taiwo, after listening to the argument of Sowore’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and the prosecuting counsel, ordered for the immediate release of the detained publisher of Sahara Reporters.

The court meanwhile said that Sowore must deposit his international passport within 48 hours after his release as part of his bail conditions.

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