Monday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja marked a turning point as the charges of treasonable felony against Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress’ candidate for the 2023 presidency, and his comrade Olawale Bakare were dismissed.
In an official communication to the court, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), serving as both the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, declared his intent to drop the charges against Sowore.
Ahead of the #RevolutionNow demonstration, Sowore was apprehended by certain operatives of the Department of State Services, who accused him of plotting to topple the government in power at the time, marking the incident on August 3, 2019.
Exactly a month later, the highest authority of the government brought forth seven counts, including charges of fraud, cyber-stalking, and treasonable felony against Sowore, officially filed on September 20, 2019.
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On February 13, 2020, the Federal Government took the step of re-arraigning Sowore and Bakare, reducing the charges against them to two counts of treasonable felony.
In November 2023, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a pointed warning, threatening to dismiss the case unless the prosecution resolved its issues promptly.
At the recent court hearing, A.R. Tahir, an Assistant Chief State Counsel representing the Federal Ministry of Justice, pressed for the court’s acceptance of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s notice to discontinue the case, proposing that the charges against the defendants be dismissed accordingly.
Femi Falana, representing the defendants, acknowledged receipt of the notice and extended appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation for his proactive stance.
Falana said, “To that extent, the matter ought to be dismissed. I wish to appreciate the position of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for taking a hint from this honourable court that this matter would be dismissed even if the heavens will fall.”
He petitioned the court to mandate the Department of State Services (DSS) to return Sowore’s phone and other belongings confiscated from both him and Bakare.
Falana said, “In view of the withdrawal, we urge the court to order the State Security Services to return the telephones of Sowore and Bakare, the sum of N10,000 seized from him, while his international passport as well as the title deed submitted for his bail in the court registry be returned.”
Justice Nwite, in his ruling on Monday, dismissed the charges and cleared the defendants of all accusations. He further instructed that all belongings confiscated from them be returned.