Nigeria, Dec. 31 -- The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Monday said the federal government showed an 'act of mercy' to two illegally detained men by not appealing their bail orders.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the government last week released an activist, Omoyele Sowore and ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Mr Sowore had been detained for several months despite meeting bail conditions set by the courts while Mr Dasuki was detained for four years despite meeting his conditions.

The government eventually released both men after a lot of local and international pressure.

After the release, Mr Malami granted an interview to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation where he justified the failure of the g...