The Federal Government has ordered the release of former
National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and publisher/convener of
#RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.
Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of the Federation (AGF), disclosed this in a statement released today
Tuesday December 24th. He said the decision to release them was in compliance
with the bail granted the two by the court.
The statement reads
“The office of the honourable Attorney General of the
Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col.
Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore.
Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion
in granting bail to the Defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am
also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or
further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal
provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice
Act, 2015
However, my office has chosen to comply with the court
orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of
the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.
“n line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999
Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col.
Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail
granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to
comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release.
The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of
their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public
peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its
course in accordance with the laws of the land.
I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my office for
the entire judicial structure of Nigeria.
This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the
rule of law and the administration of justice in general.”
Dasuki who was the National Security Adviser under the
Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arraigned in court by the Buhari
government for allegedly masterminding the $2 billions arms deal. He has been
in dention even after the courts have granted him bail.
Sowore was arrested in August this year and arraigned in
court for treason, money laundering and
cyberstalking President Buhari. On September 24th, he was granted bail by the
Federal High Court Abuja, on the condition that he surrender his international
passport within forty-eight hours. He was released on December 5th after
meeting his bail conditions but rearrested inside a Federal High court on
December 6th.
The US, UK, EU governments have at various times, condemned
the prolonged detention of both men despite the courts granting them bail.
