A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and four other activists in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Their formal bail applications would be heard on Tuesday, January 5, 2020.
The PUNCH had reported that Sowore and other activists were arraigned on three charges of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and attempting to incite others.
The activists, however, denied the charges.
They were earlier arrested for holding a protest against bad governance on New Year’s Eve in Abuja and subsequently taken to a police unit infamously known as ‘Abattoir’ in the Lokogoma area of the FCT.
“We have been sent to the infamous Kuje Prison for the next 24 hours while they plot their next moves. But we are very resolute and convinced that this year will be different for the tyrant! #RevolutionNow,” Sowore tweeted on Monday.
Sowore had earlier described his detention as “cruel”, noting that he would be “undaunted until full liberation is attained”.
“We are currently at the Magistrate court n Wuse Zone 2 with a broken nose. Police want us sent to prison after five days in cruel detention.
“Just rest assured we are solid and undaunted until full liberation is attained! # RevolutionNow,” he said.
Before his arrest, the activist sent out a series of tweets calling on Nigerians to join him on a protest against the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
He had tweeted, “How about a crossover protest/uprising tonight? Anyone willing to participate? Pick up a candle and a placard showing your grievances against the regime; let’s upload our short videos and photos across our social media platforms. Let’s welcome the regime to a resolute 2021!
“#CrossoverWithProtest against tyrant @mbuhari’s regime, candlelight for #LekkiMassacre; a placard for #EndBadGovernment; procession to usher in #Revolutionary 2021, a fist for victims of repression-frozen bank accounts, malicious prosecution and detention of #Endsars activists.
“#Crossoverwithprotest starts at 11.30 till 12.30 am across Nigeria, a candle, a placard and fireworks to usher in a RESOLUTE 2021 in Nigeria! Join with your friends and neighbours #EndSARS. #ObigboMassacre #LekkiMassacre #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria #BuhariTrainwreck #RevolutionNow.”