A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, admitted pro-democracy campaigner and 2023 Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in the like sum.
Justice Musa Liman, in a ruling on Mr Sowore’s bail application moved by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, held that the surety must be a responsible citizen with a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Liman, who directed the surety and Mr Sowore to deposit their passports, said the surety must depose to affidavit of means.
The judge adjourned the matter until April for trial.
Mr Sowore, who is also the convener of #RevolutionNow Protest, was arraigned on Wednesday on allegations bordering on cybercrime.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count amended charge preferred against him by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The -G had in the amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, named Mr Sowore as sole defendant.
In count three, the police alleged that Mr 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 Mr 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 Mr Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now.”
After he pleaded not guilty to the counts, his lawyer, Mr Abubakar, moved his bail application and it was opposed by the IG’s counsel, M.U. Jonathan.
Justice Liman later adjourned the ruling on the bail application until Thursday (today).
(NAN)
