After threatening to jail DSS DG, Yusuf Bichi, the court has ordered the security agency to release Sowore within 24 hours.
Trial Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, gave the Department of State Service, DSS, 24 hours to release detained pro-democracy activist and convener of the RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare
The presiding judge, who was visibly angry over the development which has caused the court to adjourn the trial at the instance of the DSS, said the fine must be paid to the defendants before the next adjourned date.
She adjourned the case till Friday, December 6 for continuation of trial.
Sowore has been in the custody of the secret police since his arrest on August 3.
He was arrested for calling for nationwide protests, tagged RevolutionNow, against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
However, though the defendants had since perfected their bail conditions, the DSS declined to release them on the premise that no surety came forward to receive them.
In separate fundamental rights enforcement suits, the defendants maintained that they are entitled to general and aggravated damages of N500million each as a result of violations of their rights to personal liberty, dignity of person, fair hearing, family life, freedom of association and freedom of movement.
They further prayed the court to compel the two respondents to issue a public apology to them that will be published in five national dailies.
