Socio - Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has hailed the federal government for ordering the release of # RevolutionNow protest convener, Omoyele Sowore; and the immediate - past National Security Adviser, Col . Sambo Dasuki , from custody.
The Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Mr . Abubakar Malami on Tuesday directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Dasuki and Sowore from custody.
Sowore was released few hours after the order.
In a statement by its Deputy Director , Kolawole Oluwadare , SERAP said, “ This is a positive step by the Nigerian government.
“ We hope that this signals a change in direction in Nigeria towards full respect for the rule of law, tolerance and greater openness by the government that would allow citizens to effectively enjoy their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.
“ SERAP has consistently called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sowore, Olawale Bakare and other prisoners of conscience.
“ FG should now immediately withdraw all charges against Sowore and Olaware Bakare and all others detained simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression. They should never have been charged in the first place . ”
SERAP also urged the FG to release journalist Agba Jalingo , cautioning that court orders should not be selectively obeyed.
The statement added , “We also call for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Jalingo and all those still detained on bogus charges, having spoken out in favour of greater democracy, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly .
“ The government cannot continue to pick and choose which court orders to obey . All court orders must be immediately and fully obeyed. It should never be right for the government to selectively obey court orders .
“ The government should have immediately obeyed court orders releasing others on bail . ”
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