The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the reported revocation of bail granted to activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, describing the decision as a serious threat to freedom of expression, his constitutional right to personal liberty.
SERAP reported that court, not granting Sowore bail, as well as the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest, reflects a troubling pattern of legal actions against critics and government opponents, warning that such measures could undermine public confidence in the justice system and create a chilling effect on journalists, activists, and civil society actors in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, SERAP held that the development reflects a disturbing escalation in the use of legal instruments against critics of government policies, stressing that the case appears to form part of a wider trend of harassment and reprisals linked to Sowore’s activism and outspoken advocacy for accountability, reforms, and respect for the rule of law.
It warned that treating public-interest expression as criminal conduct could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and further weaken democratic governance.
The organisation expressed concern that Sowore continues to face what it described as spurious charges and repeated legal pressure, arguing that the alleged abuse of judicial processes risks punishing legitimate civic engagement, emphasizing that it maintained that criticism of public officials is a protected democratic right and should not be met with intimidation, arrest, or punitive legal action.
The group submitted that the pattern of arrests, prosecutions, and other enforcement measures targeting journalists, activists, and government critics under the administration of Bola Tinubu raises broader concerns about shrinking civic space in the country.
It warned that such actions could foster fear and self-censorship among citizens, particularly those engaged in advocacy, investigative journalism, and public-interest reporting.
SERAP argued that the right to criticise government officials is a core pillar of democracy, noting that public office holders are expected to tolerate higher levels of scrutiny than private individuals. It stressed that legal processes must not be weaponized to silence dissent or discourage participation in public discourse.
The organisation also questioned the compatibility of the bail revocation with established legal principles, including the presumption of innocence and the right to liberty, as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It insisted that pretrial detention and restrictions on liberty should remain exceptional, necessary, and proportionate, and only justified by clear legal grounds.
SERAP urged the authorities to immediately drop what it described as unjust charges against Sowore, reverse the bail revocation, and withdraw all measures that it considers to be arbitrary restrictions on his liberty. It further called on the government to guarantee his ability to carry out journalistic and human rights work without fear of harassment or intimidation.
The organisation also appealed for broader institutional reforms to ensure that the administration of bail in Nigeria aligns with constitutional safeguards and international human rights obligations. It said such reforms are necessary to strengthen access to justice, prevent arbitrary detention, and uphold equality before the law for all citizens, regardless of political or ideological affiliation.