Sowore’s arrest suggests a culture of intolerance, Odumakin argues

Human right activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin has added her voice to the growing calls for the release of former African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement issued on Monday, the President of Centre for Change, Dr Odumakin, said the arrest of Sowore by men of the DSS was uncalled for, noting that a protest cannot be a crime under any law to warrant anticipatory arrest.

She also added that Sowore’s arrests suggests a thriving culture of intolerance that may be gripping the country.

READ ALSO: Nigeria now a failed state — Middle Belt Forum

Her statement reads: “The attention of the Centre for Change has been drawn to the arrest of Mr Omoyele Sowore by men of DSS.

“The arrest which came ahead of the Monday protest he and others are spearheading suggests a fleding culture of intolerance that may be gripping the country.

“Except he has committed any other offence that we are not aware of, calling a protest cannot be a crime under any law to warrant anticipatory arrest as has been done .

“We demand immediate release of the activist whom we declare a prisoner of conscience for every minute he is held.

“We advise the government to temper its mood as this is a democracy and not military rule,” her statement added.

According to reports, Sowore, was picked up by the DSS at his apartment at about 1am on Saturday morning and he managed to post a distress tweet at exactly 1:25 am.

His distress post on Twitter read, “DSS invades Sowore’s”.

An eyewitness identified as a ‘Lagos SUG leader’ also confirmed that the mobile phones of Sowore was confiscated after his arrest.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now