Trial
By EricJames Ochigbo
Abuja. Aug. 31, 2026 (NAN) The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has commended Department of State Services (DSS) for suspending the prosecution of the African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential Candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sowore was being prosecuted over alleged cyber-bullying.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the NAPS National President, Mr Jimoh Ajadi, said that the association considered the decision a commendable demonstration of commitment to democracy, fairness, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.
He said that at a time when all presidential candidates ought to compete on a level-playing field, no candidate should be placed at a procedural or institutional disadvantage by reason of pending criminal proceedings.
According to him, the decision is consistent with broader regional and international democratic principles and best practices embodied in instruments such as the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy on Good Governance (2001).
Ajadi said that it aligned with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
He explained that the instruments emphasised genuine, free, fair, transparent and credible elections as well as the protection of citizens’ rights to political participation.
“We consider it necessary, as a responsible stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic process and the voice of millions of students across the country, to publicly state our position on this matter.
“On behalf of our members nationwide, we commend the decision of the Director-General of DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to suspend the prosecution of the African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential Candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore, until after the forthcoming presidential election in January 2027,” he said.
Ajadi, however, said that the suspension of the prosecution should not be misconstrued as placing anyone above the law or as an abandonment of the pending proceedings.
According to him, the suspension represents a responsible exercise of institutional discretion aimed at ensuring that the electoral process is not unnecessarily complicated by the proceedings
“We regard the decision to defer the prosecution until after the presidential election as a prudent, responsible and confidence-building measure.
“It will help safeguard the neutrality of the electoral environment and reinforce public confidence that the outcome of the contest will be determined by the free will of the electorate rather than by circumstances capable of creating an actual or perceived uneven playing field.
“We therefore welcome this decision as a positive step towards ensuring a free, fair, peaceful, transparent and credible presidential election, consistent with Nigeria’s democratic obligations and the principles reflected in regional and international electoral standards.
“We commend the DG for demonstrating institutional restraint, fairness, respect for due process and commitment to democratic principles, while at the same time strengthening the nation’s security architecture and upholding the rule of law.
“We therefore commend this principled decision in the interest of democracy, national stability and the sovereign right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders,” Ajadi said.
He described Ajayi’s achievements in sanitising the service and arresting high-profile and notorious terrorist elements as a demonstration of operational dexterity, strategic leadership and effective synergy with sister security agencies.
He said that it also underscored the fact that the fight against terrorism could be pursued decisively through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“We further commend the DG for his commitment to ensuring that personnel of the service who violate established procedures or breach the rules of engagement are appropriately investigated and, where necessary, subjected to disciplinary or legal action.
“This demonstrates a firm commitment to professionalism, accountability and the rule of law, while reinforcing the principle that no officer is above the law.
“Such measures are vital to strengthening public confidence in the DSS and ensuring that its powers are exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law,” he said.(NAN)
EOO/WAS
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