After more than four months in detention, convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, was, on Thursday evening, released by the Department of State Services (DSS).
He has been in detention since August 3.
This was in compliance with the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, given a few hours earlier.
Sowore was later seen with some supporters jubilating.
He was released with Olawale Bakare.
Before his release, the DSS said it did not violate the court order.
Counsel to the DSS, Hassan Liman, SAN, made the remark in an interview with newsmen shortly after the Federal High Court sitting in the ongoing trial in Abuja.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu had, on November 6, signed the release warrant of the defendants and ordered the DSS to make available all the necessary documents that would help to facilitate in the defence of the duo’s trial.
But on Thursday, Justice Ojukwu condemned the security outfit’s attitude to court order, directing it to release Sowore and Bakare within 24 hours.
The judge then adjourned till December 6 for trial continuation.
“I want to say once again that the DSS has not at any time refused or failed to comply with the court order.
“What we have done today is to go a step further to say that the DSS no longer want Mr. Sowore in their custody.
“That is what we are saying,” he said.
Liman explained that “when somebody is granted bail, he is expected to be released to the main person that has served as his surety.”
According to him, “nobody, I repeat, has gone to the DSS to take Mr. Sowore and co. on bail. The court has made an order to release them forthwith. But the DSS has not refused, at anytime, to comply with court order.
“And that is why the DSS filed an application today that they no longer want them in their custody,” he added.
Liman, however, assured that Sowore and Bakare would be released based on the order of the case and as soon as they meet the terms of bail condition.
“When you come tomorrow, you will know if that has been complied with or not,” he told journalists.
