The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday and his bail is ₦10 million after he was arraigned on multiple cybercrime charges.
Sowore is facing 17 counts including the allegation that he called the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, an “Illegal IGP” on his verified X handle.
But in his ruling, Justice Musa Liman said an individual is entitled to bail unless there is a compelling reason to deny it.
After his release, Sowore came out of the Federal High Court where protesters had gathered demanding his unconditional freedom.
He was holding a placard that read “Egbetokun Must Go” before he left the premises.
Court Hears Arguments Before Bail
During the court session, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, asked the court to grant his client bail, saying the court has the discretion to do so.
But the IGP’s counsel, Jonathan Udey, objected, relying on a police counter-affidavit opposing Sowore’s release.
The prosecution said Sowore has associates within and outside Nigeria who could interfere with the trial.
But Justice Liman said the police failed to prove how the activist could intimidate high ranking officers who would be testifying.
The court said there was no concrete link between Sowore and any alleged cronies who could influence the proceedings.
The judge said Sowore should be allowed his personal liberty while he awaits trial and ruled that bail would be granted on the condition that he provides a surety who must be a Nigerian citizen residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
The surety must also submit an affidavit of means and title documents for a landed property in the Federal Capital Territory which must be verified by the court registrar.
The judge also ordered that Sowore’s international passport should be deposited with the court.
As bail conditions were being perfected, he allowed Sowore to be in the custody of his lawyers for 24 hours and adjourned the case to April 8.