The Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has strongly condemned the continued detention and prosecution of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore following proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he was again remanded in custody.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, CEFSAN described the decision to further detain Sowore as a troubling development that reflects a growing pattern of intimidation, harassment and judicial persecution of individuals who exercise their constitutional rights to demand accountability and speak out against injustice.
The rights group expressed concern that the continued targeting of the activist raises serious questions about the state of civil liberties and democratic participation in Nigeria, warning that the shrinking civic space could undermine democratic governance.
According to CEFSAN, Sowore’s detention constitutes an unjustifiable violation of his fundamental human rights and an attack on freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and civic engagement.
It called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and halt what it described as persistent harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, activists and other citizens exercising their lawful rights.
CEFSAN further argued that the prosecution of Sowore is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of state repression in which dissenting voices are increasingly subjected to arbitrary arrests, legal intimidation and institutional abuse.
It reminded the government that democracy thrives on accountability and constructive criticism, stressing that public institutions should serve to protect citizens’ rights rather than suppress legitimate expressions of dissent.
The rights group also urged relevant national institutions and the international human rights community to intensify efforts to ensure respect for human rights and resist attempts to silence individuals advocating justice, transparency and good governance.
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of fundamental freedoms, CEFSAN maintained that the pursuit of justice and accountability must not be stifled, insisting that human rights remain essential to Nigeria’s democratic development.
