The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed March 25 to hear a human rights suit filed by Sahara Reporters’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and his co-defendant Olawale Bakare against the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged unlawful detention.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matters on Wednesday after the regularisation of processes filed by parties in the suits.
Also listed in the suit as respondent is the Attorney General of the Federation.
Sowore and Bakare are demanding N500 million each for damages in the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
A part of Sowore’s suit seeks a “declaration that the detention of the applicant from November 7, 2019, till date in violation of the order for his release made on November 6, 2019, is illegal as it violates his fundamental right to liberty guaranteed by Section 35 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 6 of African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
Sowore filed his suit on November 15, 2019, while Bakare filed his on November 20.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu had on November 6, 2019 ordered the release of the duo from DSS custody but they were rearrested after meeting the bail conditions.
Sowore was arrested in August for planning a protest nationwide tagged #RevolutionNow.
He was charged alongside Bakare with treasonable felony.
