The publisher of online platform, Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and four other Activists were on Monday ordered to be remanded in Kuje correctional facility pending the consideration of their bail applications.
Magistrate Mabel Segun-Bello of the Magistrates’ Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja gave the order after Sowore, Juwon Sanyaolu, Peter Williams, Emmanuel Bulus and Damilare Adenola were arraigned on three-count charge brought against them by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Sowore and others were arrested by the Special Weapons Tactical Team of the NPF in Abuja over their alleged participation in a protest march a day before the New Year celebration.
They are charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and public disturbance.
The prosecution claimed that the defendants were arrested on New Year eve with placards calling for a violent revolution against President Muhammadu Buhari.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At the conclusion of the defendant’s arraignment, the Magistrate ordered that they be remanded in Kuje Correctional facility and adjourned to January 5, 2021 for hearing of their bail applications.
Sowore and another of his associates, Olawale Bakare are currently standing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja, in which they are charge with treasonable felony after he organised the #RevolutionNow protest in 2019.
They were alleged to have conspired to stage a revolution campaign on August 5, 2019, tagged “#Revolution Now”, aimed at removing President Buhari from office as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during his term of office, otherwise than by constitutional means. (The Nation)
