There was a lot of drama on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the Department of State Services (DSS) rearrested Revolution Now Convener, Omoyele Sowore, and Olawale Bakare, barely 24 hours after they were released from custody.
They were rearrested on the grounds on fresh charges being filed against them, it was gathered.
Sowore alleged an attempt was made on his life as men of the DSS put him in a chokehold.
Sowore and Bakare’s appearance in court on Friday was a resumption of their trial over charges of treasonable felony for organizing the Revolution Now protest, which the government saw as an attempt to disrupt peace in the country.
He was arrested on August 3, 2019 and despite a federal high court order for them to be released on bail, the DSS, who acknowledged receipt of the order early November, had still kept them in custody, their reason being that the appropriate sureties had not come for them.
But following an order of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, December 5, 2019 that the duo released under 24 hours and a cost of N100, 000 awarded against the DSS, they were released at about 5pm on the same day.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday morning, in anticipation of the continuation of the trial, two groups Concerned Mothers and Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative protesting for and against Sowore respectively were at the gate as dozens of armed policemen tried to maintain order.
There was heavy presence of armed men DSS personnel in the premises of the court.
As the trial resumed, lead counsel for the prosecution, Hassan Limman SAN, said the following the order of the previous day, they had released Sowore and Bakare from their custody as well as paid the cost of N100, 000 awarded against them to the defendants through one of their counsels, Marshall Abubakar.
He had said that by consensus with counsel to the defendants, they had agreed that the matter be adjourned subject to the convenience of the court to 11th, 12th and 13th of February 2020for definite hearing.
“Between now and then, what is left, the statement of the witnesses, which we are yet to furnish the defendants, we ensure we serve them within a reasonable time because most of the witnesses are out on official duties,” he had said.
Counsel to the defendants Femi Falana SAN who confirmed the release of his clients as well receipt of the money, hoped that the defendants would be allowed to enjoy their freedom as he learnt that new charges were being filed against them.
He agreed to the dates for adjournment.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu had lauded the DSS saying it was obvious they have demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law.
