N.J. journalist and activist held in Nigerian jail on treason charge is released on bail
Omoyele Sowore, an activist who lives in Bergen County, was arrested in Nigeria while organizing a protest against the country’s president.
A Bergen County man working as a journalist in Nigeria, who was arrested twice in the country since August, has been released on bail, his legal team said Tuesday.
Omoyele Sowore of Haworth, a Nigerian-American journalist and activist, was arrested by Nigerian security services in August on charges of treason, money laundering and cyberstalking the president.
Sowore, 48, went to his native country for a pro-democracy news organization he founded, Sahara Reporters. The news organization reports on Nigeria from New York City.
After pleading not guilty, Sowore remained in custody despite two court orders requiring his release.
Sowore was freed on Dec. 6 but re-arrested shortly thereafter. Video showed security forces dragged him out of a courtroom during a hearing.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian government ordered Sowore’s release, along with former National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who had been jailed since 2015 on an alleged fraud charge.
“The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land,” Attorney General and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami said in a statement.
In an email to the media, members of Sowore’s legal team said they were “stunned (and) still assessing the situation.”
They also doubted whether Sowore would be able to return to the United States until his legal issues are resolved.
Sowore’s release comes less than a week after New Jersey lawmakers urged Nigeria’s attorney general to release him.