Sowore: DSS Says Lack Of Proper Documentation Mars Sowore’s Release

By Akinwale Kasali

The freedom of Omoyele Sowore, the #Revolution Now convener, and Presidential Candidate of African Alliance Congress, AAC, at the 2019 Presidential Election still hangs in the balance as the Department of State Security, DSS, says it cannot release him now as he is yet to meet proper documentation to facilitate his release.

Spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said Sowore cannot be released to a mob of protesters as demanded by activists, and his sympathizers.

Addressing journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Afunanya said “Sowore was granted bail, and we say that he is in our custody. Do we bring Sowore out to the gate and ask him to go?’ What if Sowore was going on the road and he was knocked down by a car?

“People who should take Sowore and do proper documentation have not come up until now. Protesters and some people who were not parties, are unqualified to stand and document properly and take responsibility that Sowore has been released to them, came.

“Is it the right thing for us to release Sowore to a mob? People who came and acted unruly, fighting and forcing themselves into the facility.”

Afunanya stressed that the allegations leveled against the DSS that shots were fired at protesters who gathered at the secret police’ headquarters to demand the release of Sowore was false.

“No guns were used on any person. The DSS is a very peaceful organisation and discharges its duty with utmost responsibility and accountability,” he said.

“We have standard operating procedures on the use of arms. So, our staff couldn’t have used guns on any person. Things were exaggerated and people were passing their opinions to put the service on a part of hate.”

Afunanya further alleged that DSS operatives have been receiving series of threat messages from Sowore’s supporters.

“We have continued to receive various threats on our personnel. Threats about how they will be mobbed on the streets, how they will be physically attacked, killed and given treatment they would live to regret,” he said.

”Documentation is imperative in the discharge of security duties, and those who stood as sureties for Sowore in court, should come forward and do proper documentation with the service so that he (Sowore) can be released to them.