Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has condemned the reported revocation of bail granted to journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a post on its official X handle, SERAP said it was “seriously concerned” about the court’s decision over allegations of cyberbullying based on social media posts Sowore made last year concerning President Bola Tinubu.
The group noted that the court also reportedly issued a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest in connection with charges brought by the Department of State Services, DSS.
According to SERAP, the revocation “constitutes the latest escalation in a pattern of continued harassment and reprisals against him in retaliation for the legitimate and peaceful exercise of his human rights.”
The organisation expressed concern that Sowore continues to face “spurious charges and targeted reprisals, including harassment through abuse of judicial processes” because of his human rights work and advocacy for reforms, accountability, and the rule of law.
SERAP warned that such measures, especially in cases involving criticism of public officials, risk creating a chilling effect on journalists, activists, civil society organisations, and citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional and internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
The group also raised concerns about “the broader pattern of legal actions, arrests, prosecutions, and other measures targeting activists, journalists, and government critics under the government of President Bola Tinubu.”
“Such actions risk fostering an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship that is incompatible with democratic governance, the rule of law, accountability, and respect for human rights,” SERAP said.
The organisation stressed that the right to criticize public officials is fundamental to democracy, and that legal processes should never be used to punish or intimidate dissenting voices.
SERAP argued that the bail revocation raises concerns about due process, selective application of the law, and restrictions on the right to liberty guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The right to bail is fundamentally linked to the principle of the presumption of innocence,” SERAP stated, adding that pretrial detention should be a measure of last resort.
The group called on Nigerian authorities to “immediately drop all the unjust charges against Sowore, reverse the revocation of his bail, and withdraw any measures that arbitrarily restrict his liberty.”
SERAP also urged the Tinubu administration to end “growing authoritarian practices,” uphold the rule of law, and undertake comprehensive reforms to ensure bail administration aligns with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
SERAP Condemns Revocation Of Sowore’s Bail, Demands Drop Of Charges
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