This followed the application of notice of discontinuance filed by the Nigerian government through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has asked President Bola Tinubu’s administration to apologise to its 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare in a treason case.
SaharaReporters had reported how a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday struck out the treasonable felony charges against Sowore and Bakare.
This followed the application of notice of discontinuance filed by the Nigerian government through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.
On Monday, the court ordered the secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) to release Sowore’s three mobile phones, passport, and the sum of N10,000 seized from him.
The ACC National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye in a statement on Monday said the government must pay all damages the defendants won at different times in the matter.
Adeyeye said that all property seized must be returned to them, adding that the apology must be made for wasting their resources on persecuting an innocent man who has continued to stand for the people.
The statement reads in part, "The AAC acknowledges that today, on February 19, 2024, the treasonable felony case against our National Chairman, Omoyele Sowore, initiated by the Buhari regime, has been dismissed by the court after five years of their futile attempts at prosecution.
"It’s a victory scored by the Nigerian people that the case which has wandered in all the courtrooms of the Federal High Court, Abuja has today been consigned to the annals of history. We wish to immensely appreciate the fiery and conscientious team of lawyers led by Femi Falana SAN. Special appreciation also goes to Nigerians home and abroad for their unflinching solidarity throughout.
"From the outset in 2019, the AAC anticipated a singular outcome, knowing that the exercise of human rights, particularly freedom of expression under section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should not face unwarranted legal persecution.
"Echoing our Chairman's belief that no judge can prosecute a just cause of history, today's court proceedings, again validate our stance that the defence of our human rights is non-negotiable.
"The Nigerian government is therefore urged to stop undermining the freedom of the Nigerian people by suppressing the right of the citizens to freedom of expression.
"Having seen the Nigerian government witness an embarrassing day in court today, we implore the government to learn from history and refrain from unjustly targeting voices against power, a trend followed since the days of Ken Saro Wiwa, Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo, Chima Ubani, and Gani Fawehinmi.
"We want to restate that Mr Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare must be apologized to. The Tinubu regime must pay all damages they won at different times in this matter. All property seized returned to them and ultimately, the combination of the two unfortunate regimes- Buhari and Tinubu must apologize to the Nigerian people for wasting their resources on persecuting an innocent man who has continued to stand for the people.”
“The AAC party, being a people-centred party, pledge our commitment to free speech, being the cornerstone of democracy, and we encourage Nigerians all over to never be afraid of calling out erring governments at all levels," the statement added.