Officials To Nigeria's AG: Release Bergen Journalist From Prison

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Elected officials have joined the family of Omoyele 'Yele' Sowore in an attempt to get the Bergen County man freed from a Nigerian prison, where he has been held, unjustly they say, since August.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Bill Pascrell, New Jersey senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, and New York Senator Chuck Schumer, and Delaware Senator Chris Coons signed a letter sent to Abubakar Malami, Nigeria's attorney general, demanding a "speedy and fair resolution" regarding Sowore's continued imprisonment.

"We request that you take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of Mr. Sowore while he is held in government custody; work to facilitate a speedy and fair resolution to the current circumstances of his re-detention," the officials said in the letter.

Related: Family Trying To Free Bergen Journalist From Nigerian Prison

Sowore was taken from his hotel room Aug. 3 and arrested by Nigeria's State Security Service for allegedly organizing a pro-democracy protest there, Dana Stott, a family spokesperson previously said. He is the founder of Sahara Reporters, a New York-based organization that covers corruption, political misconduct, and human rights in his native country.

Sowore was charged with treason, money laundering, and cyberstalking in connection with his desire for a protest, officials said in the letter. The Nigerian Court order his release twice after he met the terms of his bail, but the Nigerian Department of State Security (DSS) did not comply with these orders until Dec. 5, officials said.

The letter states that Sowore was rearrested Dec. 6 while appearing in court for what was supposed to be the start of his trial. Sowore was allegedly placed in a choke hold, re-detained by DSS, but no new charges were filed against him.

"Indefinite detention in defiance of court orders and/or unfairly conducting Mr. Sowore's legal prosecution will only serve to tarnish Nigeria's international reputation and its standing as a leader African democracy," officials said in the letter. "Doing so risks empowering other voices who would seek to work against you."

Gottheimer met with Sowore's wife, Ope, recently in calling for his release and return to the family in Haworth. He has been working with the Sowore family, State Department, and members of the Haworth community for months to secure his release.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer met with Ope Sowore and local officials. (Courtesy of Office of Rep. Josh Gottheimer)

"We are urging the Nigerian government to protect Yele's safety, provides him with the due process he deserves, and ultimately permit him to return home as soon as possible," Gottheimer said in a statement. "I can think of no better Christmas gift for the Sowore family then welcoming Yele home."

Gottheimer is sponsoring Sowore as a prisoner of conscience with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives. The commission works to promote, defend, and advocate for international human rights.

Omoyele 'Yele' Sowore by Daniel Hubbard on Scribd

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