The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has strongly condemned the reported revocation of bail granted to activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, describing the decision as a serious threat to freedom of expression, his constitutional right to personal liberty.
SERAP warned that the court, not granting Sowore bail, as well as the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest, reflects a troubling pattern of legal maneuvers designed to silence journalists, critics, and activists in Nigeria.
Recall that on Tuesday, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his immediate arrest following an oral application by the prosecution.
The judge reportedly issued the order over alleged absence of Sowore from proceedings in which he faces cyberbullying charges for calling President Tinubu “a criminal” in social media posts last year.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, SERAP lamented that the revocation of bail represents an escalation in what it described as repeated reprisals against Sowore for his human rights work and outspoken advocacy on governance, accountability and rule of law reforms.
The group said it was deeply concerned that Sowore continues to face what it called “spurious charges” and targeted legal actions, warning that such measures risk undermining democratic freedoms and discouraging civic engagement.
SERAP further cautioned that the use of judicial processes to address criticism of public officials could create a chilling effect on journalists, civil society organisations, activists and ordinary citizens exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
It also expressed concern over what it described as a broader pattern of arrests, prosecutions and legal actions targeting government critics under the current administration, warning that such trends could foster fear and self-censorship.
“The right to criticize public officials and government policies is a fundamental component of any democratic society,” the group stated, stressing that public office holders must tolerate higher levels of scrutiny than private citizens.
SERAP maintained that legal processes should never be used to punish or silence dissenting voices or individuals engaged in legitimate public-interest advocacy.
The organisation also raised concerns about due process, selective application of the law and restrictions on liberty, arguing that the revocation of Sowore’s bail undermines the presumption of innocence and the right to fair trial as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
It further stressed that pretrial detention and restrictions on liberty must remain exceptional, necessary and proportionate, warning against the misuse of bail processes as a punitive tool.
According to SERAP, such developments raise serious questions about judicial independence, access to justice and adherence to the rule of law in Nigeria.
The group called on Nigerian authorities to immediately withdraw what it described as unjust charges against Sowore, reverse the bail revocation and ensure that no measures are taken to arbitrarily restrict his liberty. It also urged the government to guarantee that Sowore is able to carry out his journalism and human rights activities without intimidation, harassment or reprisals.
SERAP further called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s bail system to ensure compliance with constitutional and international human rights obligations, stressing the need to protect personal liberty, strengthen access to justice and prevent arbitrary detention.
The organisation warned that failure to address these concerns could further erode public trust in democratic institutions and weaken respect for human rights in the country.
