Court strikes out treason charges against Sowore, Bakare

• Orders return of activists’ passports, others • Group seeks compensation for defendants

AFEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, struck out the treasonable felony charges against # Revolutionnow conveners, Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare.

This followed the application of notice of discontinuance filed by the Federal Government through the Minister of Justice and Attorney- General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi ( SAN).

In a notice of discontinuation to the court, Fagbemi discontinued the case under his powers to review or withdraw a case by the Executive arm of government.

At the resumed hearing, yesterday, Assistant Chief State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice, A. R. Tahir, urged Justice Emeka Nwite to approve the notice of discontinuance dated February 14.

Tahir said that as it stands, hearing in the matter is yet to commence, urging the court to strike out the charge.

Meanwhile, counsel for the defendants, Femi Falana, who confirmed receiving the notice of discontinuance, added that contrary to the Ministry of Justice lawyer, the matter was partly heard and as such, the case ought to be dismissed.

He expressed gratitude to the court for the threat to have the matter dismissed for want of diligent prosecution.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who held that the proper order to be made is to strike out the case, discharged the defendants, adding that all that were seized from them be returned, including Sowore’s three mobile phones, passport and others.

EANWHILE, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda ( HEDA) has applauded the Federal Government for withdrawing terrorism and felony charges against Sowore and Bakare.

It, however, called for compensation. According to the body, the significant development marks a step towards justice and hopefully a pointer to the commitment of the administration to respecting human rights and democratic principles.