Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to immediately drop the charges against activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
According to the organisation, Sowore’s prosecution is a part of an escalating crackdown on human rights and freedom of expression.
The international human rights organisation made the demand on Thursday, following Sowore’s appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Amnesty said its staff and volunteers attended the court proceedings in solidarity with Sowore, whom it described as a prisoner of conscience facing what it called a sham trial based on bogus charges.
The organisation maintained that the activist should never have been charged in the first place, urging the authorities to discontinue the case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“Omoyele Sowore should never have been charged in the first place. Nigerian authorities must immediately drop the unfounded charges against him filed by the Department of State Services (DSS),” Amnesty International said.
The organisation also called on the government to allow Sowore and other activists and journalists to carry out their work without harassment, intimidation or fear of reprisals.
It warned that the prosecution reflected broader concerns about restrictions on civic space and the treatment of individuals who criticise those in power.
“The unfair prosecution of Sowore is part of restriction of civic space and escalating crackdown on human rights in Nigeria,” the organisation stated.
Amnesty further urged Nigerian authorities to respect and protect the fundamental rights of citizens, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom.
“The Nigerian authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the human rights of everyone in the country, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and media freedom,” it added.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the DSS over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of misrepresenting the level of corruption in Nigeria.
The activist has denied wrongdoing and is currently presenting his defence in the case.
At the October 19 proceedings, the Federal High Court rejected his application seeking to compel the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, to appear personally as a defence witness.
Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that another DSS official with knowledge of the agency’s activities could testify on its behalf. Following the ruling, a DSS investigating officer, Michael Jego, was called as a defence witness.
Amnesty’s intervention adds to the criticism surrounding the prosecution, particularly over the implications of using criminal proceedings against a political activist for statements published on social media.
However, the case remains before the court, which is yet to deliver a final judgment on the allegations against Sowore.
