Sowore, Bakare’s sureties not subject to DSS verification —Falana SAN

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has faulted the claim
by the Department of State Services that it could not release
#RevolutionNow protest convener, Omoyele Sowore, and Olawale Bakare
on bail until it sees and verifies their sureties.

Falana, who is a lawyer for the two detained activists, said in
a statement on Thursday that the judge, who admitted Sowore and
Bakare to bail and ordered their release, did not assign the DSS
with the responsibility of verifying their sureties.

The two men had perfected the bail conditions given then by
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu since November 6, according to Falana, but
more than two weeks after, the DSS had refused to let them out of
its cells.

In a statement on Thursday, Falana said, “Pursuant to the
verification of the sureties of Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare
by the Federal High Court, the trial judge, Honourable Justice
Ifeoma Ojukwu, made an order on November 6, 2019 for the release of
the defendants from the custody of the DSS.

“The court Order has not authorised the DSS to approve the
sureties before releasing Sowore and Bakare from custody.

“Kindly find below the court order being treated with contempt
by the DSS which has continued to parade itself as a law-abiding
security organisation.”

The DSS had on August 3 arrested Sowore in his Lagos apartment
to forestall his planned nationwide #RevolutionNow protest slated
for August 5.

Despite Sowore’s arrest, the protest took place but was
characterised with brutalisation and arrest of the protesters and
journalist by the police.

The DSS has charged Sowore and Bakare with treasonable felony,
alleging that the #RevolutionNow protest was aimed at overthrowing
President Muhammadu Buhari.