Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned its ruling on the bail application of activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to Thursday.
Sowore is facing 17 counts of cybercrime charges brought against him by the Nigerian Police Force. He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
One of the charges alleges that Sowore, via his verified X handle, referred to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun as “illegal IGP.” The police claim the statement is false and aimed at inciting public disorder.
Justice Musa Liman postponed the bail ruling after hearing arguments from Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, and the prosecution counsel, Udey Jonathan.
Abubakar urged the court to grant bail on lenient terms. “We have a motion on notice filed today, January 29, 2025,” he said.
“I ask you, my noble lord, to release the applicant on bail in the most liberal terms possible, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.
“The applicant has also filed a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Sunday Agabi, and we rely on the arguments within. We urge your lordship to grant our application.”
He further argued that the court has discretion in granting bail, regardless of the complainant’s stance.
However, Jonathan opposed the application, asking the court to deny Sowore bail.
“My lord, a counter-affidavit deposed to by one Friday Ameh, a police intelligence officer, has been filed against the bail application,” he said.
“We seek reliance on all paragraphs of our counter-affidavit and have filed a written address in support, dated January 29, 2025.
“We adopt the written address as our oral submission against the bail application and urge the honourable court to dismiss it.”
Jonathan added, “Bail cannot be handed out like candy; it should not be granted in vacuo. While bail is at the court’s discretion, it is not a state of grace.
“If the court decides to grant bail, it should impose stringent terms to ensure the defendant’s appearance for trial, including the submission of his international passport.”
After hearing both sides, Justice Liman adjourned the ruling to Thursday at 1 pm. Sowore remains in police custody until then.