DSS “currently fishing for evidence to nail Sowore” – Femi Falana

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says Abubakar Malami,attorney-general of the federation (AGF), sacked the prosecution team in the case involving Omoyele Sowore, convener of Revolution Now Movement, after the invasion of the court.

On Wednesday, Malami sent a letter to Yusuf Bichi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), directing the security agency to forward the case file  to his office.

Falana asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to withdraw pending criminal charges against his clients, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare. Falana said in a statement that there was no evidence to get the ‘RevolutonNow’ protests conveners convicted.

He was reacting to an announcement by the AGF office on Friday that a letter had been sent to the Department of State Services to hands off the case involving Sowore and send the case files to his office.

But Falana said it was the AGF that initially filed a case against Sowore before it was transferred to Hassan Liman, the prosecuting counsel.

Falana also accused the DSS of “currently fishing for evidence to nail Sowore”, adding that despite the directive of the AGF to take over the case, the Revolution Now convener was still subjected to a 4-hour interrogation on Thursday.

“It is not a take over because it was the AGF that filed the Sowore’s case and farmed it out to Dr. Hassan Liman SAN,” he said.

“But in view of the violent invasion of the court by armed operatives of the SSS, the AGF has decided to sack the prosecution team and have the case prosecuted by the DPP.

“Having been advised that Sowore cannot be convicted on the basis of the proof of evidence filed in court, the sss has refused to make the statements of the prosecution witnesess available to the defendants as ordered by the trial court.

“Hence, hearing in the case has been adjourned to February 20, 2020 at the instance of the Prosecution.

“Convinced that the pending case would collapse like a pack of cards, the SSS (also called DSS) is currently fishing for evidence to nail Sowore. In spite of the directive of the AGF to take over the case the SSS subjected Sowore to a 4-hour interrogation yesterday (12/12/19).

“The entire interrogation pertained to Sowore’s alleged links with the proscribed Boko Haram sect, IPOB, and IMN which he vehemently denied. At Sowore’s instance a member of the legal defence team, Mr. Abubakar Marshal witnessed the marathon interrogation.

“In view of the foregoing we urge the AGF to file a nolle prosequi motion without any further delay to end the macabre dance which has exposed the country to avoidable embarrassment.”

Sowore, who was briefly released by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday, was rearrested less than 24 hours later.