[2] Sahara Reporters has gained a large following both in Nigeria and amongst Nigerians abroad, and reaches over fifteen million people across its social media platforms.

[1] The demonstration was characterized by the Nigerian government as an attempt to overthrow it, which was denounced by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights commission, along with many international bodies.

[6] He was charged with treason, cybercrime, and money laundering, including for transfers allegedly made to Sahara Reporters' Nigerian bank account, according to a U.S.-based legal team's submission to the U.N. working group on arbitrary detention.

CPJ has documented Nigerian security forces repeatedly attacking journalists, including those reporting on the August demonstrations or related protests against Sowore's detention.

Following the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in February, journalists told CPJ they worried that his government would feel less restrained in curbing press freedom.

The Nigerian authorities, in particular the DSS, have repeatedly violated Mr. Sowore's due process rights and have proceeded to charge him with a number of serious crimes, including cyberstalking, treason and money laundering -- none of which have any basis in law or in fact.

To date, the government has failed to produce a single shred of evidence of any wrongdoing for these extremely serious charges, instead the authorities solely rely on Mr. Sowore's lawful public statements and actions in their attempt to justify his prolonged arbitrary detention and specious prosecution."