By Aiyeku Timothy
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Nigerian government to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention over the “torture and ill-treatment” of Omoyele Sowore and four other activists.
The Sahara Reporters publisher and others are at the Kuje Correctional Centre on the orders of an Abuja Magistrates’ Court.
They were arrested while protesting in Abuja on the 31st of December 2020 and immediately taken to prison.
SERAP urged the Working Group to request President Muhammadu Buhari government to withdraw the charges against the detainees and release them.
Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in their complaint, addressed to José Guevara Bermúdez Chairman/Rapporteur of the Working Group, described the government’s action as a deprivation of their liberty.
The body insisted that the citizens were peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
SERAP said the arrest was in violation of Nigeria’s constitution and obligations under the international human rights law.
“We urge the Working Group to request the Nigerian government to investigate and hold accountable all police officers and security agents suspected to be responsible for the unlawful arrest, continued detention, and torture and other ill-treatment of Mr S.owore and four other activists,” it demanded.
