A Human Rights Lawyer and Activist, Femi Falana, has on Saturday, noted that he has been directed by Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, to sue the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, Operatives for torture, .
He revealed that Sowore was badly beaten and subjected to dehumanising conditions by the NPF, in contravention of the Anti-Torture Act.
His words: “Since Mr. Sowore’s fundamental right to dignity has been recklessly violated by the Police, we have his instructions to press for charges against all the Officers who subjected him to physical and mental torture, in contravention of the letter and spirit of the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.”
He disclosed further that from indications, the Nigeria Police Force is waiting for “orders from above”, before releasing Sowore.
He further stated that the Police is holding Sowore, for alleged breach of Covid-19 protocols, but had denied him bail for two consecutive days, even though the law says such offences are bailable.
Falana further stated that his Client had pointedly told the Police that he had not breached the Covid-19 protocols.
He stated: “Mr. Sowore, who was covering an event at the time of his arrest, has maintained that he did not breach any of the Covid-19 regulations. He has been detained indefinitely, on the basis of orders “from above”.
“The Police Officers who arrested Mr. Omoyele Sowore at Abuja, on January 31, 2020, subjected him to severe beating, and left him with bruises all over his body. As if that was not enough, he has been locked up in the midst of armed robbery suspects, at a notorious detention facility called abattoir, maintained by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad in Abuja.
“The physical torture to Mr. Sowore was prolonged by the refusal of the Police to provide him with medical attention. Although Sowore’s injuries are being treated by his personal Physician, the Police authorities have refused the application of the detainee for bail, even though the alleged offence of breaching Covid-19 regulations is ‘bailable’.”
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