IN THE NEWS

Nigeria Aims to Silence Dissent With Charges Against Prominent Journalist

3/12/2020

After months in prison and a prolonged legal fight, prominent Nigerian journalist and client of RFK Human Rights, Omoyele Sowore, is now facing charges of treason.

Sowore had been arbitrarily arrested and detained after organizing an event, Revolution Now, to protest corruption and unfair elections.

His wife, Opeyemi Sowore told VOA News that Nigeria’s constitution protects freedom of assembly and peaceful protests, and she believes the charges against her husband are unfounded and intended to intimidate him and others who protest against the government.

Wade McMullen, senior vice president of programs and legal strategy at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said the Nigerian government is intentionally dragging out the legal process against Sowore. Initial charges of money laundering and cyberbullying that were brought against him have been dropped, and court dates have been postponed, leaving him in legal limbo.

“They’re drawing out this prosecution to set an example and to silence other Nigerians who wish to gather around him and express their peaceful dissent in similar ways,” McMullen said.

Read the full article.

Help Us Protect Human Rights

Please give now. Your contribution will make a difference in the critical effort to achieve equal rights for all.