#RevolutionNow Protest: Soyinka, Sani others appear with Sowore as Court awards N200,000 damages against DSS

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, former Chairman of the Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu and a former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani were at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday to witness proceedings at the resumed hearing in the trial of the convener, RevolutionNow, a protest against alleged bad governance in the country.

Soyinka arrived the court ahead of the proceedings that commenced around  10 am on Wednesday.

Sani, who is also facing a fraud related charge before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on entering the courtroom, went to where Soyinka sat, greeted him, and whispered something into his ears, which made them laugh.

Sani then proceeded to settle on a chair behind Soyinka.

Sowore and his associate, Olawale Bakare, were arrested in August last year in respect of the #RevolutionNow protest and were held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for months until their arraignment towards the end of the year.

Sowore and Bakare charged with a treasonable felony for allegedly planning to topple the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, among other counts, including abusing the President.

The case could not go on on Tuesday owing to the trial judge’s absence, following which hearing was rescheduled for Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the prosecution lawyer, Aminu Akilu informed the court that an amended charge has been filed and was just served on the defence.

Defence lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) sought time to look at the new charge, following which the prosecution sought an adjournment.

Before adjourning, Justice Ijeoma Ojujkwu awarded N200,000 cost against the prosecution for causing unnecessary delay in the proceedings.

Justice Ojukwu adjourned till Thursday (February 13) for further hearing.