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COURT GRANTS SOWORE ₦10M BAIL, ORDERS PASSPORT SURRENDER, GIVES 24-HOUR EXTENSION TO MEET CONDITION
Justice Musa Suleiman Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), in the amount of N10 million with one surety of the same amount.
The court also ruled that the surety must have verified landed property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the applicant must deposit his passport with the court and provide an affidavit of means.
Sowore, who has been undergoing legal proceedings, was initially required to meet the bail conditions within a set timeframe. However, the court granted him a 24-hour extension to fulfill the terms.
Meanwhile his lawyer, Abubakar Marshal has applied for extension of time to enable the applicant to perfect his bail conditions.
The court adjourned ruling on his bail application proceedings on Wednesday to Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Sowore, accompanied by his legal team on Thursday, was met by a crowd of supporters outside the courthouse, demanding his release and condemning the charges against him as politically motivated.
The former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate is facing 16 cybercrime charges filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, following his reference to the police chief as an “Illegal IG.”
Sowore was detained at the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office in Abuja on Monday after voluntarily honouring a police invitation. His detention followed his refusal to accept bail conditions set by the police.
On Wednesday, defence counsel Abubakar Marshal urged the court to grant Sowore bail on self-recognizance and the most liberal terms.
He presented evidence showing that his client was invited via a WhatsApp message from the complainant and had honoured the invitation in good faith.
Marshal also noted that the complainant acknowledged Sowore’s right to bail. However, the prosecution, led by M.U. Jonathan, opposed the bail application and requested its dismissal.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge adjourned the case to 1 pm on Thursday for a ruling on the bail request.
