Falana Explains How Sowore Was Subjected To Dehumanizing Conditions By Police

After arresting and detaining the pioneer of RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore on Friday morning, the Senior lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana said he was given instructions from Sowore to prosecute the Nigerian police and his officers for torture.

Femi Falana who revealed this stated that his client was severely beaten and subjected to dehumanizing conditions which are contrary to the Anti-Torture Act.,  EKO HOT BLOG  gathered.

EkoHotBlog reported earlier that Omoyele Sowore and other activists reportedly spent the final minutes of the last year in custody for organizing a demonstration in Abuja.

Falana said, “Ever since Sowore’s basic right to dignity was trampled by the police, we have received an order to lodge a complaint against all officers who subjected him to bodily and mental torture in violation of the letter and the spirit of the provisions of the Anti Torture Act of 2017.”

Falana said, according to the evidence, that the Nigerian police are waiting for «orders from above» before releasing Sowore.

According to him, the police were detaining his client for alleged violations of COVID-19 protocols, but refused bail for two consecutive days, even though the legislation provides that such offenses are subject to bail.

READ ALSO: “It’s Cruel, uncivilized”, Says Shehu Sani On Sowore’s Arrest

He added, “Mr. Sowore, who was covering an event at the time of his arrest, claimed that he did not violate any of the COVID-19 regulations. He was held indefinitely under orders from the top..”

“The police officers who detained Mr. Omoyele Sowore in Abuja on 1 January 2021 severely beat him and left bruises on his whole body.

“As if that were not enough, he was imprisoned among armed robbery suspects in a notorious detention facility called abattoir maintained by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad in Abuja.

“The physical torture inflicted on Mr. Sowore has been prolonged by the police’s refusal to provide him with medical treatment.. Although Mr. Sowore’s wounds are being treated by his doctor”

He added that his client had clearly told the police that he had not violated COVID-19 protocols.