The Federal high court in Abuja today, Thursday ordered Nigeria’s the DSS to release the Omoleye Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters within 24 hours.

The court also awarded N100,000 against the prosecution for failing to comply with court orders requesting the release of Sowore and for not serving the defense counsel with necessary documents early enough.

The prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), had insisted that the DSS had not obeyed the court order for their release, the DSS had no power to constitute itself into a parallel court.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered that the fine must be paid to the defendants before the commencement of trial. The judge consequently adjourned hearing till Friday.

“This matter cannot go on,” Justice Ojukwu said. “There is no way it can go on, and the adjournment is at your instance.”