The rearrest of Mr Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow movement by operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), has sparked outbursts on twitter.
Sowore was released on Thursday after months in DSS detention, following an order by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, who gave the security agency a 24-hour ultimatum.
He was rearrested and whisked away at the court premises and taken to the office of the DSS where he is being detained.
READ ALSO: Sowore’s Rearrest: ‘This Has Never Happened Before’, Falana Slams DSS
Some popular Nigerians on a social media messaging platform, twitter have attacked the security agency and the Federal Government for disrespecting the sanctity of the Judiciary.
Popular activist, Comrade Deji Adeyanju condemned the act and informed that a strategy meeting with other lawyers and activists is ongoing and Nigerians will be updated.
“We are in a meeting strategizing on what next to do on Sowore. We will keep you informed. We cannot continue like this as a nation.
“Nigeria is not a jungle.”
We are in a meeting strategizing on what next to do on Sowore. We will keep you informed. We cannot continue like this as a nation.
Nigeria is not a jungle.
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) December 6, 2019
Former Presidential candidates, Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) reacted to the rearrest describing it as a savage act by the DSS operatives.
“This savage act by the DSS operatives just proved to the whole world that the Executive arm of the Federal Government has no respect for the Judiciary and no regard for the rule of law & separation of powers.”
This savage act by the DSS operatives just proved to the whole world that the Executive arm of the Federal Government has no respect for the Judiciary and no regard for the rule of law & separation of powers.
— FelaDUROTOYE (@feladurotoye) December 6, 2019
“President @MBuhari, the whole world is watching the video of officials of the State Security Service which you directly supervise, brutally violate the constitutional rights of a citizen @YeleSowore inside a court and desecrated our Judiciary- an independent arm of government.”
President @MBuhari , the whole world is watching the video of officials of the State Security Service which you directly supervise, brutally violate the constitutional rights of a citizen @YeleSowore inside a court and desecrated our Judiciary- an independent arm of government. https://t.co/OkzyISS7Ae
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) December 6, 2019
The rearrest of Sowore, according to Kayode Ogundamisi, an Anti-Corruption Campaigner is counter-productive and ill-advised.
“Attempts by the DSS to re-arrest @YeleSowore and Bakare in court is counterproductive and ill-advised, it appears all the DSS want is to keep both Sowore and Bakare in perpetuity. @NGRPresident@MBuhari & @ProfOsinbajo should listen to wise counsel. Direct he DSS to obey the law.”
Attempts by the DSS to re arrest @YeleSowore and Bakare in court is counterproductive and ill advised, it appears all the DSS want is to keep both Sowore and Bakare in perpetuity. @NGRPresident @MBuhari & @ProfOsinbajo should lisen to wise counsel. Directt he DSS to obey the law pic.twitter.com/dQi1kDqKiy
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) December 6, 2019
Sowore’s rearrest which was caught on camera, drew the attention of many, including Nedu Ekeke of the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign.
“I’m having goosebumps watching that video. OMG! Have you @ProfOsinbajo seen the video of how DSS abducted Sowore in an open court? Before a sitting judge? If @MBuhari is unaware of the implication of that action, are you, dear professor of Law, also unaware?”
I’m having goosebumps watching that video.
OMG!
Have you @ProfOsinbajo seen the video of how DSS abducted Sowore in an open court? Before a sitting judge?
If @MBuhari is unaware of the implication of that action, are you, dear professor of Law, also unaware?
— Nedu Ekeke #BBOG (@Nedunaija) December 6, 2019
Popular social commentator, JJ Omojuwa, said that the treatment of Sowore shows a disregard for the rule of law by the Buhari-led administration.
“This is @MBuhari‘s legacy. When he is out of power, this will rank as the one thing he’d wish never happened. This is a blatant disregard for the rule of law, order & justice. A government shouldn’t take the law in its hands. @ProfOsinbajo this is a shared legacy #FreeSoworeNow”
This is @MBuhari ‘s legacy. When he is out of power, this will rank as the one thing he’d wish never happened. This is a blatant disregard for the rule of law, order & justice. A government shouldn’t take the law in its hands. @ProfOsinbajo this is a shared legacy #FreeSoworeNow https://t.co/UJn45JX6Pk
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) December 6, 2019
Other users, including the President of The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Bello Shagari expressed their views on the matter, including an advise for the #RevolutionNow convener, Mr. Sowore.
“I really expected Sowore to have flown back to retreat in New York as soon as he was released. Doing so would not have been cowardly but strategic.”
I really expected Sowore to have flown back to retreat in New York as soon as he was released. Doing so would not have been cowardly but strategic.
— Bello Shagari (@Belshagy) December 6, 2019
A twitter user, M. Abba aired a contrary view, asking Mr. Sowore to reap from what he allegedly said about former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
“Jonathan is worst Nigerian leader” ~Sowore 12 July 2014 The same Sowore who backed Buhari in 2015 was detained for more than 100 days without given bail, under Buhari’s admin He was finally released and rearrested in a courtroom under Buhari’s admin Reap what you sow.”
“Jonathan is worst Nigerian leader” ~Sowore 12 July 2014
The same Sowore who backed Buhari in 2015 was detained for more than 100 days without given bail, under Buhari’s admin
He was finally released and rearrested in a courtroom under Buhari’s admin
Reap what you sow
— M Abba (@M_Abba_) December 6, 2019
