According to Premiumtimes, rather than direct immediate compliance with a federal court order that freed Omoyele Sowore on bail, President Muhammadu Buhari has instead been sending emissaries to the activist to extract commitment from him to back down on the ‘revolution now’ protest as a precondition for his release.

In at least two attempts now confirmed by PREMIUM TIMES, the president’s emissaries visited Mr Sowore where he is being illegally held at the State Security Service Headquarters to “negotiate for peace” in return for his freedom.

The Sahara Reporters’ publisher, however, rejected both attempts as extra-judicial and self-serving, saying he would not take part in any arrangement that would essentially lend legitimacy to unwarranted abuse of his fundamental rights and brazen disregard of judicial authority, people briefed on the matter told PREMIUM TIMES.

The development appeared the strongest indication yet that Mr Buhari is aware of the continued detention of Mr Sowore in defiance of multiple court orders.

Those who took part in the botched negotiation included Isa Funtua, a close political associate of the president; Sam Amuka, publisher of Vanguard Newspapers; Nduka Ogbaigbena, publisher of Thisday Newspapers and presidential spokespersons, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu.

‘Infuriating dialogue’
Mr Sowore was arrested on August 3 for leading #RevolutionNow campaign — a series of nationwide protests he had planned with other activists to demand a better Nigeria.

He was first granted bail by a federal judge in September, but the SSS did not comply and instead took him before another judge to file duplicated charges against him. The second judge granted him bail under stringent conditions in October, which he eventually satisfied on November 6. Read in full  HERE