RevolutionNow protest: FG calls first witness in Sowore’s felony trial

The federal government on Wednesday called an operative of the Department of State Service (DSS), Rasheed Olawale as its first witness in the trial of convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore and Olawole Bakare.

Sowore and Bakare were first arraigned in September 2019 on a seven -count charge of treasonable felony, but five of the counts that deal with money laundering were dropped by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Abubakar Malami after he took over the trial amidst controversies surrounding the DSS invasion of the court room.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Aminu Alilu, the first prosecution witness disclosed that he led the team of operatives who arrested Sowore on August 3, 2019 in Lagos.

According to the witness, Sowore was arrested around 1.00 am at Montana Residence and Hotel at 16 Oduduwa Road, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

He said Sowore was arrested following intelligence reports that he (Sowore) had planned to carry out a revolution along with his associates on August 5, 2019, against the democratic elected government of Nigeria.

The witness said the DSS “investigation report revealed that Sowore was in Maryland with his associates and cohorts, making graphic inscriptions tagged #RevolutionNow on the wall of the Maryland Bridge.

“He was sensitizing passers-by on the particular day for the protest and what they planned to do. He also claimed that the government of the day would cease to exist through the procession.”

At this stage, lead counsel to the first defendant, Femi Falana (SAN) raised an objection, claiming that the witness was given evidence not contained in his earlier statement which was served on the defence team.

Falana argued that the defendant is entitled to know the entirety of the case, adding that it is for that reason they demanded the full statement of the witnesses as enshrined in Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The counsel submitted that allowing the evidence would amount to an “ambush against his client” and urged the court to direct the prosecution counsel to limit the cross-examination of the witness to his earlier statement.

However, the prosecution counsel in a quick response said that the law allows him to only serve a summary of a witness’ statement on the defence.

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Alilu then urged the court to allow the witness continue with his evidence, adding that the defence would also get the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.

In a short ruling, trial court judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, ruled that the witness is giving his testimony outside the scope of his written statement, adding that although, the witness does not have to use the exact words contained in his written statement, he is limited to the scope of evidence adduced.

Consequently, she ordered the prosecution to go back and reproduce the statements of all witnesses.

Justice Ojukwu however, said ruling on the application seeking witness protection would be delivered on the next adjourned date and subsequently, adjourned to April 1 – 2 for continuation of the first witness’ evidence and trial.

The prosecution had applied to the court to shield the witnesses that would be testifying against the defendants, but the request was opposed by Falana (SAN) on the grounds that the identities of the witnesses listed are already in the public domain.