Abuja’s Federal High Court ordered the immediate release of Sahara Reporters ‘ detained publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
The court issued the order after stating on Tuesday that there was no existing order enabling the State Security Service to detain Mr Sowore further.
The court said Mr Sowore was required to deposit his international passport within 48 hours of his release and instructed his lawyer, Femi Falana, to be liable for producing him in court once the charge against him was notified.
The judge, Taiwo Taiwo, said the law provides for all Nigerians ‘ freedom irrespective of their financial or political status.
“The order of the court has expired. It has not been renewed and cannot be renewed in view of the motion ex-parte earlier withdrawn,” the judge said of the continuous detention of Mr Sowore.
“The liberty of all Nigerians high or low, poor or rich is guaranteed by the constitution. It’s for this end that I’m of the view that the defendant ought to be released forthwith,” Mr Taiwo said in a short ruling on Tuesday.
After being advised that the investigation of Mr Sowore had been completed, the tribunal took the decision.
Mr Sowore was arrested on 3 August for planning a nationwide protest under the theme # RevolutionNow.
There were increasing calls for his release after he was charged with treason and money laundering by the government.
From his days at the University of Lagos, Mr Sowore has been a long-term activist. He was at the forefront of the fight for democracy that chased off the army and restored Nigeria’s constitutional governance.
He later established Sahara Reporters with whom he exposed for corruption and misgovernance not a few Nigerian authorities.
Mr Sowore returned from New York in 2018 to enter partisan politics, establishing the African Action Congress party and running on his platform for Nigeria’s presidency.
He lost the election to Mr Buhari, after which a series of advocacy began to push the Buhari administration to better govern the country.