Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has faulted the Nigeria Police Force over the arrest of Abubakar Marshall, a lawyer to activist Omoyele Sowore.

Falana also debunked claims by police that Sowore jumped bail, saying that the activist had presented himself for any possible arraignment.

The PUNCH had reported that Marshal was arrested on Friday for allegedly failing to produce Sowore on February 25.

Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was arrested on February 24, following a petition of criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news known to be false, against him.

His arrest followed a petition by billionaire Ned Nwoko, through his lawyers, Trifold Law & Partners, against Sahara Reporters Foundation.

Lawyer Marshall had stood as surety for Sowore after he was granted an administrative bail with a promise to produce him on February 25.

Falana said, “In a bid to justify the illegal arrest of Abubakar Marshall Esq. the Police claimed that the lawyer contravened an unspecified provision of the Criminal Code because he failed to produce a client, Mr. Omoyele Sowore at a police station in the Federal Capital Territory.

“It is public knowledge that the movement of Mr Sowore has been restricted to the Federal Capital Territory for the past two years on the orders of the Federal Capital Territory. Since his abode is well known to the security agencies, it is grossly misleading to claim that his surety has contravened any provision of the Penal Code.

“However, in spite of the indiscretion of Abubakar Marshall to stand surety for Mr. Sowore, his arrest, detention and prosecution by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command cannot be justified under the law
“It is trite law that a surety cannot be arrested, detained and charged with any criminal offence before any court in Nigeria on the ground that a suspect has jumped bail or failed to report for investigation or arraignment.

“The penalty is that the surety is legally obligated to pay the sum stated in the recognisance or bail bond. Before the bail bond can be forfeited the surety is entitled to show a cause or justify before a Court why it should not be forfeited.

“However, if the surety fails to pay the sum stipulated in the bond the court shall proceed to recover it from the surety like a fine under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

“In view of the several decisions of Nigerian courts on the contractual nature of suretyship, Abubakar Marshall has not committed any offence whatsoever. The authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command are advised to withdraw the criminal charge erroneously filed before the Upper Area Court in Kubwa. However, since Mr. Sowore is not on the run he has decided to report himself to the Police for any possible arraignment.”

FreeStuffsNG:
However, since Mr. Sowore is not on the run he has decided to report himself to the Police for any possible arraignment.”

He should just report himself nau.

There is obviously a communication gap somewhere or Mr Sowore would in his characteristic manner, rather spend his time at anti-Bujari and pro-ipob terrorist leader political rally than honoring a pre-arraignment invite by the police.


Meanwhile, good evening my fellow patriotic Nigerians, please support Asiwaju Tinubu.

Asiwaju Tinubu will keep his promise to take Nigeria to greater heights.

On the mandate of Asiwaju Tinubu I stand.

Dear Patriotic Nigerian and lover of Nigeria, this is just to let you know that Asiwaju Tinubu towers far above other Presidential hopefuls like Mr Sowore.

Asiwaju Tinubu is extremely competent and capable to lead Nigeria to greater heights.

FreeStuffsNG:

ss

FreeStuffsNG:
However, since Mr. Sowore is not on the run he has decided to report himself to the Police for any possible arraignment.”

He should just report himself nau.

There is obviously a communication gap somewhere or Mr Sowore would in his characteristic manner, rather spend his time at anti-Bujari and pro-ipob terrorist leader political rally than honoring a pre-arraignment invite by the police.


Meanwhile, good evening my fellow patriotic Nigerians, please support Asiwaju Tinubu.

Asiwaju Tinubu will keep his promise to take Nigeria to greater heights.

On the mandate of Asiwaju Tinubu I stand.

Dear Patriotic Nigerian and lover of Nigeria, this is just to let you know that Asiwaju Tinubu towers far above other Presidential hopefuls like Mr Sowore.

Asiwaju Tinubu is extremely competent and capable to lead Nigeria to greater heights.

Mr. Nwiya accused Sowore of planning to eliminate Ned Nwoko, insisting that the Niger Delta Peace Agitators will resist attempts to kill any of its sons.

"We call on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General Department of State Services and in fact all law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to as a matter of urgency swing into action, get Mr. Sowore arrested.

"Because of the cult he joined today, that does not mean that he should be going around, threatening Niger Deltans.

NwaNimo1:
[img]https://i./3OK0b.gif[/img]

Skyview01:


He has not insulted you nau. Just a friendly advice to try and get sense sometimes.

FamTomx2:

He said nothing but truth, why marketing calamity to people that have had enough of it.

FreeStuffsNG:
However, since Mr. Sowore is not on the run he has decided to report himself to the Police for any possible arraignment.”

He should just report himself nau.

There is obviously a communication gap somewhere or Mr Sowore would in his characteristic manner, rather spend his time at anti-Buhari and pro-ipob terrorist leader political rally than honoring a pre-arraignment invite by the police.


Meanwhile, good evening my fellow patriotic Nigerians, please support Asiwaju Tinubu.

Asiwaju Tinubu will keep his promise to take Nigeria to greater heights.

On the mandate of Asiwaju Tinubu I stand.

Dear Patriotic Nigerian and lover of Nigeria, this is just to let you know that Asiwaju Tinubu towers far above other Presidential hopefuls like Mr Sowore.

Asiwaju Tinubu is extremely competent and capable to lead Nigeria to greater heights.

Basheer22:


Try to get sense for your parents, particularly your mother.

Not an insult, just a friendly advice.

FreeStuffsNG:
However, since Mr. Sowore is not on the run he has decided to report himself to the Police for any possible arraignment.”

He should just report himself nau.

There is obviously a communication gap somewhere or Mr Sowore would in his characteristic manner, rather spend his time at anti-Buhari and pro-ipob terrorist leader political rally than honoring a pre-arraignment invite by the police.


Meanwhile, good evening my fellow patriotic Nigerians, please support Asiwaju Tinubu.

Asiwaju Tinubu will keep his promise to take Nigeria to greater heights.

On the mandate of Asiwaju Tinubu I stand.

Dear Patriotic Nigerian and lover of Nigeria, this is just to let you know that Asiwaju Tinubu towers far above other Presidential hopefuls like Mr Sowore.

Asiwaju Tinubu is extremely competent and capable to lead Nigeria to greater heights.