A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, granted
activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore N10 million bail following his arraignment over alleged cybercrime offences brought against him by the Inspector General of Police.
Sowore was arraigned before the court on Wednesday.
Justice Musa Liman in a ruling on Sowore’s bail application granted the bail with one surety in the like sum.
In addition to one surety that will stand for him, Sowore was ordered to deposit his international passport to guarantee his appearance in court for trial.
Justice Musa Liman after granting the bail fixed April 8, 2025, for commencement of trial.
Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, and the prosecution lawyer, Uddy Jonathan, had on Wednesday argued their case for and against the bail application.
The police had, earlier on Wednesday, arraigned Sowore, on an amended 16-count charge over comments he made on social media on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The IGP had, in the amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, named Sowore, as the sole defendant.
In count three, the police alleged that Sowore, on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, called Egbetokun “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force”.
He was also alleged to have posted the picture of Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people cannot make progress.”
The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now.”
Sowore, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts and the court stood down the matter for hearing of bail application filed by his counsel, Abubakar.
After the court reconvened, Abubakar moved the bail application, seeking Sowore’s release from detention on self-recognition or on the most liberal terms pending trial.
Abubakar noted that bail is at the discretion of the court and prayed the court to exercise it in favour of Sowore.
He argued that the complainant had not shown any reason for denying the applicant bail.
He said the police had stated that it granted the applicant bail and conceded in its affidavit that Sowore was entitled to bail.
According to him, Sowore had undertaken to stand his trial and would not interfere with the witnesses of the prosecution.
Jonathan, who appeared for the IGP, opposed the request for bail.
The prosecution counsel, in a 25-paragraph counter affidavit had prayed the court to dismiss the bail application on the ground that bail cannot be granted in a vacuum.
He said the applicant had not placed anything before the court to show that he would be available for his trial.
Also, he had urged the court to refuse the application or grant the applicant bail on conditions that would make him appear in court for his trial.
Meanwhile, pending the perfection of the bail bond, Sowore would be remanded in custody.
