Northern Group Demands Prosecution of Sowore Over Leaked Court Footage

A northern socio-political organization, the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly, has called for the immediate prosecution of activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of contempt of court and breaching national security.

The allegations stem from a viral video clip, reportedly leaked from an ongoing cyberbullying trial, which shows Sowore’s lawyer cross-examining a witness identified as an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS). The secret police are the plaintiffs in the case.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, the group condemned the circulation of the footage, describing it as “a mockery of our judicial system and, above all, a grave breach of national security.” They assert that the video unlawfully exposes the identity of a DSS operative.

The group cited the National Security Agencies Act (1986) and the Official Secrets Act (1962), arguing that exposing a secret service agent violates these statutes. “In Nigeria, exposing the identity of a secret service agent who has sworn an oath of secrecy is a breach of these laws,” the statement read, drawing a parallel to similar laws in the United States.

The statement further warned that Sowore’s current trial for alleged cyberbullying could be compounded by more severe charges. “He could now face prosecution under the National Security Agencies Act and the Official Secrets Act,” the group claimed, noting that penalties could include imprisonment of up to 20 years, fines, and asset forfeiture.

The assembly has urged the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, to treat the matter as a direct contempt of court and impose strict sanctions. “This most disrespectful conduct by the defendant must not be allowed to go unpunished,” the statement said, adding that it was important to demonstrate that “Nigeria is not the banana republic he and his ilk often portray.”

The 12-minute video in question, which has circulated widely on social media, also captures an objection from DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) and a subsequent ruling by the judge.

Attempts to get a response from Sowore or his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, as they did not reply to calls or text messages.