The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted bail to Omoyele Sowore, a prominent pro-democracy campaigner and 2023 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), in the sum of N10 million. He must also provide a surety with a bond of the same amount, who must own property within the jurisdiction of the court.
Courts sets Sowore’s bail conditions
Justice Musa Liman, in his ruling on Sowore’s bail application, outlined specific conditions for the bail. The surety must be a responsible citizen and possess a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. Additionally, Sowore and his surety are required to deposit their passports with the court, and the surety must submit an affidavit of means. The judge further set the next court date for April to commence the trial.
Sowore faces cybercrime charges
The Sahara Reporters publisher, who is also the convener of the #RevolutionNow protest, was arraigned on Wednesday on charges relating to cybercrime. The charges, which number 16 in total, were amended and filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The amended charge, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, specifically accuses Sowore of defaming IGP Egbetokun through posts on his social media handle, X (formerly Twitter). In one of the counts, the police alleged that the activist, on December 20, 2024, referred to Egbetokun as the “illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force” on his X handle.
Allegations of defamation via social media
The charges also claim that Sowore posted a photograph of Egbetokun on his X account with a caption labelling the Nigerian government as “mediocre” and the country as being “run by characterless people”, asserting that such a nation could never progress. Another post allegedly warned that “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria Police if we don’t act now.”
Bail application and opposition
After the activist entered his not guilty plea, his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, moved for his bail, which was opposed by the legal counsel representing the IGP, M.U. Jonathan. Despite the opposition, Justice Liman granted the bail and adjourned the matter for trial in April.