Mr. Femi falana, SAN

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, has insisted that Mr Omoyele Sowore and Mr Olawale Bakare have committed no offence.

He stated this on Friday while addressing journalists at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking about the preparedness of his clients for trial, the senior advocate said, “For sure, because they committed no offence.”

Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, was brought to the court along with Bakare by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Nobody Is Above The Law

Both men are facing seven counts bordering on alleged conspiracy to commit treason and money laundering among other charges filed against them by the Nigerian Government.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were arraigned on Monday while Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered their remand in DSS custody.

Four days later, Justice Ojukwu granted the bail application of the defendants, but not without stringent conditions.

In his reaction, Mr Falana said they would ensure they do their best to meet all the conditions for his clients to regain their freedom.

He said, “We are going to explore the possibility of meeting the bail conditions and if we are unable, there are other options which we will explore under the law.

“There is nobody who is above the law in the country; we will take appropriate steps to ensure that our clients regain their freedom as soon as possible.”

On his part, the prosecutor Mr Hassan Liman believes the government is on the right path with plans to speedily prosecute the defendants.

“We are waiting to see to the fulfilment of the bail condition,” he said, adding “The court has granted accelerated hearing.”

The court has fixed the trial of Sowore and Bakare for November 6, 7, and 8, 2019.