Olmoyole Sowore
Wife of Omoyele Sowore, co-convener of RevolutionNow, Mrs Opeyemi Sowore, has reacted to the release of her husband who was released by the Department of State Services, DSS, after 125 days of illegal detention.
Sowore was ordered released by a court. He regained his freedom and looked emaciated after 125 days of incarceration.
Reacting, his wife said: “After 125 days of his illegal detention, my husband was released on bail for conditions he met weeks ago.
“While I am grateful for his long overdue release, I remain concerned for his safety and resolute on him being cleared on all charges.
“I look forward to his safe return home to our family in New Jersey.”
Mr. Omoyele Sowore’s family and friends had hope the Haworth, New Jersey resident will come back to New Jersey soon. The US-based journalist had met all bail conditions in Nigeria but his movement was curtailed as he was asked to surrender his travel documents, and not grant media interview.
During his time in prison, his wife, Opeyemi, and their two children have received support from their Haworth neighbours, who helped organize an event on Oct. 28 near Borough Hall calling for his safe release and return to the U.S.
Mrs. Sowore told NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey that she was “truly humbled by the outpouring of support and prayers from my community. The Tie a Yele Ribbon gathering last week brought such comfort and strength to our family.”
She said their father’s imprisonment and trial has been “very hard” on their children.
“They miss their father dearly. We continue to pray for his safe return home to us in New Jersey,” Sowore said.
Omoyele Sowore’s family and supporters have also called upon their congressional representatives to help get the 48-year-old journalist back to New Jersey.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who represents Sowore’s district in Congress, said, “We’ve continued to be in close touch with the State Department and with Mr. Sowore’s family as this has developed.”
Expressing support for Sowore have been organizations including Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa.
California Rep. Karen Bass said in a statement, “I stand with the human rights and international community in declaring that the continued detainment of Mr. Omoyele Sowore is a flagrant violation of his human rights.”
