Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted ₦200 million bail to Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher, who is facing alleged cybercrime charges.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Umar ordered Sowore to provide two sureties. One surety must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community, while the other must own landed property in Abuja. The court also directed that both sureties be verified by the prosecution.
As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court pending the conclusion of the trial.
Following the ruling, the court released Sowore into the custody of his legal team and adjourned the case until Monday, July 6, for the commencement of his defence.
Earlier this month, Justice Umar ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his motion seeking a stay of the court’s order revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant against him.
The court also dismissed Sowore’s application requesting Justice Umar to recuse himself from the case over allegations of bias.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false and defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts. Sowore has denied the allegations, and the matter remains before the court.
By: Emmanuela Ekele Channels News
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