By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has filed a notice to discontinue the treasonable charge levelled against publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and another Nigerian, Lawal Bakare.
The duo were arrested in 2019 and arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. Their prosecution was led by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
They were granted bail by a high court, rearrested again by the DSS before finally released on bail in January 2021.
On Thursday, the Attorney General filed a nolle prosequi (notice of discontinuance) in the case which many lawyers said was malicious, frivolous and laughable treasonable felony charge.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said the prosecution was dubious and malicious in the first place.
He said: “This farcical trial commenced in 2019 after Sowore called for a Revolution.
“They had no witnesses, no evidence and no legal basis to support the dubious charge. Because of this facade, Sowore has not been able to visit his family since 2019.
“The current AGF has terminated the time and money wasting charge instituted by Malami. The corrupt Buhari regime was evil.”