This comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of his passport following the decision of the Nigerian government to withdraw its treasonable felony case against the #RevolutionNow convener, four years after it was seized and he was barred from leaving Nigeria.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has confirmed that he will be travelling to the United States of America Friday night (tonight) to reunite with his family.
This comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of his passport following the decision of the Nigerian government to withdraw its treasonable felony case against the #RevolutionNow convener, four years after it was seized and he was barred from leaving Nigeria.
Sowore, who was the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, will be leaving via a United Airline Lagos (LOS) flight by 11:50PM on Friday to Washington, D.C.
The activist said in a press invitation sent to SaharaReporters on Friday that his trip would be for a short while since he was “bound to return to Nigeria not only to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people, but also to face the myriad of bogus criminal and civil cases thrown at me since my detention began.”
SaharaReporters on February 15 reported that the President Bola Tinubu-led government had discontinued the treasonable felony case instituted against Sowore.
The development was made known in a document issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The document dated February 15, 2024, was addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division.
In the document, the government disclosed its intention to also discontinue the case against Sowore’s co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, aka Mandate.
Justice Emeka Nwite had also ordered that Sowore’s passport be released to him by the Department of State Services (DSS) which earlier seized it.
In the statement on Friday titled, “Invitation To Murtala Muhammad International Airport Tonight; Travelling to the US Tonight Following Five Years of Unlawful, Unjust And Inhuman Detention In Nigeria,” Sowore said, “Following my unjust, inhuman, and unlawful detention in Nigeria since August 2019, I will be traveling to the US from Lagos later today, 8 March 2024, on a late-night flight.
“The ordeal that my family, colleagues, and associates have endured, and continue to endure, in fighting for the liberation of Nigeria, is unimaginable.
“However, before embarking on these journeys in my early days, beginning in the university, it was clear to me that they would cost me and others who firmly believe that a just and egalitarian society must be established during our lifetime.
“Let me clarify: My trip today, to reunite with my kids and ebullient wife, is only for a short while since I am bound to return to Nigeria not only to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people, but also to face the myriad of bogus criminal and civil cases thrown at me since my detention began.
“I take this opportunity to thank my family, lawyers, colleagues, and fellow revolutionaries at home and abroad who have stood firmly against all odds since my sojourn in Nigeria.
“Sadly, I make this trip at a time that greater suffering, deprivation, hunger, poverty, and insecurity continue to be inflicted on the people in what should be one of the world’s richest and most inviting nations.
“But I will return with deeper determination to continue with the struggle.
“Details of Departure: United Airline Lagos (LOS) 11:50PM to Washington DC (IAD) (5AM) – Newark (EWR) 10AM EST.”
SAHARA REPORTERS
