MURIC Urges Sowore’s Release, Condemns His Reckless Statements

By Adesina Soyooye

A request has come from the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for the release of  Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore, an activist, lawyer, politician and Publisher of SaharaReporters, is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services, DSS, over an  alleged cybercrime charges.

In a social media post, he called President Bola Tinubu a criminal, and ignored the DSS which urged him to take down the offensive post.

Since prosecution, he has been in out of custody. Penultimate week, he was absent at a Court hearing, which prompted the trial Judge to revoke the bail he had been enjoying. On appearance in Court on Monday, he was ordered remanded in Kuje Prison custody pending the hearing for the warrant of arrest on him to be lifted, and the trial Judge to recuse himself from the case.

On Wednesday, however, the trial Judge moved the hearing again to June 30.

In a statement on Thursday, MURIC while demanding for his release from Prison Custody, also asked Sowore and other activists like him,  to exercise caution in their public engagements.

MURIC  warned against statements capable of inflaming tensions or undermining civil discourse should be avoided.

Signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola the group expressed worries over the continued detention of Sowore, who is the  Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC. It described the situation as

troubling for Nigeria’s democratic image.

While MURIC says the rule of law must be respected and judicial processes allowed to take their course, it noted that the detention of outspoken critics and activists raises serious concerns about freedom of speech and democratic tolerance in the country.

According to MURIC, Sowore’s case has generated widespread reactions across political and civil society circles, prompting many to now see it as  political suppression.

The statement reads in part: “Social critic and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre on Tuesday over a case bordering on cybercrime.

“Sowore is being tried for allegedly referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a ‘criminal’.

“We are extremely saddened by this development.

“Locking up activists dents the image of Nigeria’s democracy and questions our respect for free speech.

“Yet we are constrained to acknowledge the limitations of the licence to freely express oneself in a democracy where one person’s freedom of speech stops where another’s right to the dignity of his person begins.

“While not encouraging interference in judicial processes, MURIC calls for the release of the activist.

“Sowore comes across as a young Nigerian soaked in the bath waters of patriotism. He should be carefully handled.

“As an opposition presidential candidate (African Action Congress, AAC), his ordeal is most likely to be interpreted as another attempt at political persecution.

“Long detention as well as judicial procrastination are the precursors of judicial rascality.

“Nonetheless, MURIC advises Sowore and other activists to avoid youthful exuberance, reckless pronouncements and dancing to the gallery.

“As activists, we can be radical yet rational. We can be articulate yet responsible.

“Also, as leaders we must realise that the young ones are watching us because they see us as models.

“Activists must, therefore, abide by the rules of decency and civility. Parliamentary language is the hallmark of maturity.

“Against the background of our culture as Africans, our activists must avoid vulgar language, indecorous behaviour and disrespectful demeanour.

“We can still make our points without appearing to be rude. The same wind that makes men button up so tight while women wrap themselves up to their necks can make them loosen up and yearn for fresh air.

“We button up and wrap up when the wind blows violently but we loosen up when the wind turns into a gentle breeze.”