Celebrates return nearly five years being wrongfully imprisoned

Imprisoned by the Nigerian government, with wife and kids at home 

Above: Gottheimer welcoming home Yele Sowore.

HAWORTH, NJ — Today, Saturday, March 9, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer joined Haworth local elected officials, community members, and the Sowore family to welcome home Yele Sowore after being detained by the Nigerian government and unable to return back to New Jersey and his family for more than four years. 

Video of Gottheimer welcoming Yele home can be found here.

Video of Yele speaking upon returning home can be found here.

More video can be found here.

From day one, Gottheimer worked with the Haworth community to first urge the Nigerian government to provide Yele with the due process rights he deserved. Gottheimer also worked over the years with the Trump and Biden Administrations and State Department to push the Nigerian government to act, and ensure they kept Yele safe. 

Since Yele’s release from prison, Gottheimer has been working with the State Department and international agencies to secure Sowore’s safe and quick return. Now, he has been reunited with his family, including his tenacious wife Ope and two wonderful children. 

“After working behind the scenes with the community to help Yele get home, today, after nearly five years, I am so proud to finally say welcome home! During these difficult years, the entire Haworth community has united around the Sowore family and demonstrated what it means to live with Jersey Values, selflessly lending a hand to those in your community who needed help,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).”

Gottheimer was joined by Omoyele “Yele” Sowore, Yele’s wife, Opeyemi “Ope” Sowore, Yele’s children Ayo and Komi Sowore, Haworth Mayor Heather Wasser, Haworth Councilwoman Alanna Davis, Haworth Councilman Andrew Rosenberg, and Haworth Councilman Glenn Poosikian.

Below: Gottheimer celebrating Yele’s return with the Haworth Community.

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