Nigerians express outrage over DSS' re-arrest of Sowore in court

06 December 2019 at 14:01

Nigerians say Sowore's re-arrest is another stain on the country's democracy.

D
Damilare Famuyiwa

The Department of State Services' re-arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow, has attracted angry reactions from Nigerians, with many condemning the security agency and the presidency.

After being held hostage for almost an hour at a Federal High Court in Abuja, the DSS operatives re-arrested Sowore.

As earlier reported, a dramatic scenario played out in the courtroom on Friday, December 6, 2019 as the DSS officers attempted to re-arrest the Sahara Reporters founder.

The attempt led to a physical struggle between Sowore's supporters and the DSS officials.

Following Sowore's re-arrest, Nigerians took to social media to express their outrage on the matter.

This is simply CRAZY!!!
So the DSS just chased a judge out of the courtroom with guns in an attempt to re-arrest Sowore ... this has to be the lowest low of this Government ...
We should be more outraged as Nigerians...it’s long past the time we kept quiet about this!! pic.twitter.com/1RSO9HDtqC
— LIVELY (@mc_lively_) December 6, 2019

@MBuhari the common man has nowhere to go for redress. I weep for my country and I pray for her. Whoever cursed us should please have mercy. We are on a dangerous part and the leader is setting a dangerous precedent
— 01 (@ceo_bespoke) December 6, 2019

The desecration of the courtroom today by men of DSS is sad.

The forceful re-arrest of Sowore, hours after his release is depressing.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is official.

A tyrant lives in the Presidential Villa.#savesowore
— a Girl named Dami (@mcphetty) December 6, 2019

The total disregard for the Judiciary is actually self inflicted, after dancing so much to the tone of the Executive, it definitely won't end well.

The NBA is probably still playing gallery hence making the job of lawyers extremely difficult.

Sad sad sad!!!
— Charles Esq (@Sir_Charles_E) December 6, 2019

A big shame that's someone who was just released yesterday barely 24hrs was rearrested ND da judge precised his case was chased out of the court....it's a shame but like every event Nigerians won't say a word cuz like fela "we are suffering and smiling"#shame shame shame
— vex (@Small_zio) December 6, 2019

The DSS will have to explain why Sowore was rearrested. And the reason has to be HUGE. We just debated on the floor yesterday about separation of powers but this is a desecration of the judiciary. No matter whose side you are on, this cannot be right in anyway.
— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) December 6, 2019

The rule of law is the essence of a state. When a state descends into a Hobbesian system, no one is safe, everyone is prey and everyone is a victim. What the DSS did today will go down on record as one of @MBuhari ‘s lowest points as president. It is hard to go lower from here!
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) December 6, 2019

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D
Damilare Famuyiwa