Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the government will be making a mistake if it files charges against Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore, who is the convener of #RevolutionNow movement, has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since Saturday.

The DSS had accused him of threatening public peace and safety with his planned nationwide protest.

But speaking at an event organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Tuesday, the senior lawyer who though did not mention President Muhammadu Buhari’s name directly, said Sowore had briefed him from detention that in the case he would be charged, his first witness would be someone in government who in 2011 also called for a revolution.

Then a presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buhari had called for a revolution in Nigeria – although through an electoral process.

Sowore, according to Falana, refused to write a statement, insisting the DSS allow him to speak with his lawyer.

“I do hope that the government will not be stupid to charge Sowore. In fairness to them (DSS), they gave him a telephone to phone me. Of course I knew they were monitoring the phone, and I told him I hope they won’t charge you, because if they do, some of the people in government will be our witnesses,” he said.

“You know why? One of them, I won’t mention his name. In 2011, he asked Nigerians to learn from the Egyptian revolution and be ready for a revolution in Nigeria. So, he will be my first witness.

“The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and four other people were charged with treasonable felony by the Ibrahim Babangida junta. I was one of them. We were detained in Kuje prison for two months. We were taken to the court, and what was the offence? I think we went beyond Sowore. We posted thousands of posters across the country, that Babangida must go. That was the treasonable felony.”

Falana, who stood in defence alongside Fawehinmi, said they argued that the then military president did not come to office through constitutional means.

He added that those in government now harassing Nigerians with treason would someday, too, be tried for treason.

It is not clear if Sowore will be charged as Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson is yet to respond to messages seeking development on the matter.

Post Reply

Posted: at 6-08-2019 10:45 PM (4 years ago) | Hero

When the going get tough the tough get going.

Posted: at 6-08-2019 10:58 PM (4 years ago) | Addicted Hero

If we have 100 of Sowore in Nigeria, Nigeria will be better place

Posted: at 6-08-2019 11:00 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac

If we have 100 of Sowore in Nigeria, Nigeria will be better place

how come he got less than 500 votes in the last election ....he is only a noise maker

Posted: at 7-08-2019 12:33 AM (4 years ago) | Hero

If we have 100 of Sowore in Nigeria, Nigeria will be better place

believe me bro, 1000 Sowores will not change anything..Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria...u and I are the problem even more than these politicians...Did u even voted for this Sowore man during the general elections??I doubt that...

Posted: at 7-08-2019 06:27 AM (4 years ago) | Hero

A lot of people are something else in this country...I promise u majority of those making noise over sowore now never voted for him during the polls...now everybody has something to say...u voted for Atiku  now u come out to line behind sowore...shame!

Posted: at 7-08-2019 06:35 AM (4 years ago) | Hero

A lot of people are something else in this country...I promise u majority of those making noise over sowore now never voted for him during the polls...now everybody has something to say...u voted for Atiku  now u come out to line behind sowore...shame!

Well said brother.

If Sowore want to make changes, he should start by getting into a senatorial seat. That is where the laws and constitution can be change.

I have said these but it make no sense to people. Politicaly, he is too far away.

Posted: at 7-08-2019 09:46 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac

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