Court Grants Sowore ₦200m Bail, Sets Conditions for Release

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, who is facing alleged cybercrime charges.

Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore to produce two sureties to meet the bail conditions.

According to the court, one surety must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community, while the second must be an owner of landed property within Abuja.

The judge also directed the prosecution to verify the credentials of the sureties before the bail process can be completed.

As part of the conditions, Sowore was ordered to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court pending the conclusion of the trial.

Following the ruling, Justice Umar released the defendant to his legal team and adjourned proceedings to Monday, July 6, for the commencement of the defence.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court had ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his application seeking a stay of the order revoking his bail and the bench warrant issued against him.

Justice Umar had also declined Sowore’s request for the judge to recuse himself from the matter over claims of bias.

Sowore is being prosecuted over alleged cybercrime offences, allegations he has denied. The case is expected to resume on July 6 for the opening of the defence.