Amnesty International has welcomed the release of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, describing his detention by the Nigeria Police as arbitrary and marked by inhumane treatment.
In a statement, the rights group called on Nigerian authorities to investigate alleged gross human rights violations committed against Sowore while in police custody. It insisted that he should never have been detained and demanded the immediate withdrawal of what it termed “fabricated and unfounded” cybercrime-related charges filed against him.
Amnesty International said the prosecution of Sowore reflects a broader pattern of shrinking civic space and intensifying crackdowns on human rights in Nigeria. It urged the government to ensure that Sowore and other activists can carry out their work free from harassment, intimidation, or fear of reprisals.
