VDM Condemns Sowore’s Remand, Describes Courtroom Arrest as Judicial Illegality

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VDM Condemns Sowore’s Remand, Describes Courtroom Arrest as Judicial Illegality

Popular Nigerian social media activist and founder of the Ratel Movement, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has condemned the remand of human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, describing his arrest within court premises as a violation of judicial norms and a calculated attempt to silence activism in Nigeria.

Reacting to the development in a video shared on social media, VDM questioned the basis of the case against Sowore, particularly allegations that he failed to appear in court during proceedings in a cyberbullying suit involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to VDM, available evidence suggests that Sowore was present during the court proceedings in question, making the government's claims difficult to justify.

He alleged that authorities may have employed procedural tactics to place the activist at a disadvantage.

"I want to believe that they actually played a trick because I know they do this over time. They arrange special Zoom meetings without notifying the other party’s lawyer on time just to trap the defendant," VDM stated.

The activist further argued that the arrest forms part of a broader effort to suppress dissenting voices and activism in the country.

VDM also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that Nigerians have been deprived of several fundamental rights and opportunities due to prevailing challenges in the country.

According to him, insecurity has denied many citizens access to their farmlands, while poor infrastructure and other governance challenges have limited freedoms and economic opportunities.

"The Tinubu administration has robbed us of many things. If they should ask me, I will say they are thieves because they have robbed us of many things in Nigeria," he said.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, is currently facing legal proceedings over allegations linked to cyberbullying and statements made against President Tinubu.

The arrest and subsequent remand have continued to generate mixed reactions from civil society groups, activists and members of the public, with many raising concerns about freedom of expression and the treatment of government critics in Nigeria.

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