Falana writes AGF Malami, seeks Sowore’s release – TheNigerialawyer

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has written to the
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr
Abubakar Malami (SAN), seeking the release of the convener of
‘RevolutionNow’ protest, Omoyele Sowore, from the custody of the
Department of State Services.

Falana’s letter, dated December 13, 2019 and made available to
journalists on Sunday, followed the Friday’s announcement by the
AGF office that it had taken over the prosecution of Sowore and his
co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, from the DSS.

The AGF’s takeover of the case was informed by the widely
condemned invasion of the Federal High Court in Abuja by the
operatives of the DSS to re-arrest Sowore on December 6.

Falana, who heads the defence team of the two men, informed
Malami that his letter became necessary after two lawyers in the
team visited the DSS headquarters in Abuja to demand Sowore’s
release but were advised to direct their request to him
(Malami).

The letter titled, ‘Request for the release of Omoyele Sowore
from illegal custody’, read, in part, “Following the announcement
of your decision to take over the case of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria V Omoyele Sowore and another, two members of the legal
defence team visited the headquarters of the State Security Service
on December 13, 2019 to demand the immediate release of Sowore from
illegal custody.

“Our colleagues were however advised to direct the request to
your office in view of the fact that you have taken over the case
from the State Security Service.

“In the light of the foregoing, we hereby request you to use
your good offices to direct the State Security Service to release
Sowore from custody in line with the order of the Federal High
Court admitting him to bail pending trial. We are confident that
you will not hesitate to grant our request as no court has issued
any remand order for his detention.”