A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Federal Government, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police to explain why Omoyele Sowore and others in detention over the protest held on August 5, 2019, should not be released.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who gave the order, also told the DSS and IGP to appear before the court on the next adjourned date of September 4, 2019.
A Lagos lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, had submitted an application, challenging the FG, DSS, IGP and the AGF on Sowore’s right to peaceful protest, assembly, and association.
Ogungbeje asked the court to declare the arrest of Sowore by the DSS and the police clampdown of the protesters as unconstitutional and illegal. He further requested that the court make an order for the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested and detained.
Justice Oweibo granted Ogungbeje leave to serve the DSS and the IGP so he could hear from them on the adjourned date, especially on the issue of why Sowore and the others should not be released immediately.
