A group, Voice of Reason (VOR), on Thursday in Lagos, decried the invasion of an Abuja high court by men of Directorate of State Service (DSS) in their attempt to re-arrest the publisher of SaharaReporter, Mr Omoyele Sowore, describing the act as executive lawlessness, and “for all intents and purposes an attempted coup against democracy”.
The group said this at a press conference attended by prominent Yoruba professionals, warning that anarchy loomed in the country if the abuse of human rights, assaults on the judiciary and disregard to court orders, as well as desecration of federal charter principle, among others continued to reign over democratic ethics.
They include the group chairman, Chief Olufemi Adegoke; former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Tunji Alapini; Dr Ebun Soniya, Dr Ladi Awosika; Arc. Lanre Towry-Cowkry, Chief Femi Kufo, Mr Bolaji Ogunseye, Barrister Tokunbo Ekunanim, among others.
Speaking at the press conference, Chief Adegoke, decried the DSS operatives invasion of the court, which he said was quite clear and unambiguous despite attempts by the agency to twist the narrative, even as he equally condemned the continued detention of Sowore and one other.
ALSO READ: Sowore: Body of SANs charges Buhari to set up commission of enquiry to probe DSS’ court invasion
While observing that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot possibly be directing all these excesses of his appointed officials, Adegoke, however, said it would appear that the president’s body language, which his operatives generally watched for indications on how to act, might have informed the actual desecration of the temple of justice by the DSS operatives “a few days ago in their attempt to forcefully re-arrest Omoyele Sowore and one other person, who were facing trial for ‘treasonable felony’ and had been granted bail by a competent court”.
VOR chairman condemned the act in its entirety, urging President Buhari on the need to rise up to the oath of his office and protect the country’s hard-won democracy as he represented the nation’s hopes by virtue of the office he occupies.
He equally called on him to uphold the banner and ensure that he was able to hand over the banner without stain, come 2023.
“He, however, needs to rise up to the oath of his office and protect our hard-won democracy. Today, he represents our hopes for its sustenance by virtue of the office he occupies and we call on him to uphold the banner. He must be able in four years hand over the banner without stain,” Adegoke said.
Speaking further, Chief Adegoke called urgent restructuring of the country’s political, economic and social structures, warning that a delay in doing that would spell doom for the country.
He equally called on President Buhari to take over governance of the country and purge his administration of those he described as “unelected characters” currently ruling the country by proxy.
and then