Jun 30, 2026

Court Grants Sowore N200m Bail with Stringent Conditions

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria — In a significant development in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political and free speech cases, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted bail to fiery activist, publisher, and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.

The N200 million bail comes with demanding conditions, reflecting the court’s effort to balance judicial oversight with the defendant’s liberty amid ongoing allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that Sowore must provide two sureties: one a traditional ruler from his community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, and the other a property owner within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Both sureties require verification by prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN. Additionally, Sowore must surrender his international passport to the court’s deputy registrar.

The decision follows weeks of legal drama. On June 16, 2026, the same court revoked Sowore’s earlier bail—granted on self-recognition in December 2025—after he failed to appear for trial.

A bench warrant was issued, leading to his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre. Sowore’s legal team had filed applications to vacate the revocation and warrant, and to have the judge recuse himself on grounds of alleged bias, both of which faced mixed outcomes before today’s ruling.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over social media posts on his X and Facebook accounts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The charges, which include counts under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code, center on claims of publishing false information capable of causing public disorder and defaming the President’s reputation.

Sowore, founder of the investigative outlet Sahara Reporters, has long been a vocal critic of successive Nigerian administrations.

His activism dates back to the pro-democracy movement, and he has run for president on the AAC platform, positioning himself as a champion against corruption and for revolutionary change.

Supporters view the case as an attempt to silence dissent, while prosecutors argue it concerns accountability for potentially inflammatory statements in a volatile political climate.

Civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have called for Sowore’s immediate release and the dropping of charges, describing them as “bogus” and an abuse of cybercrime and defamation laws to target journalists and activists.

Tuesday’s hearing carried the familiar tension of Nigerian high-stakes trials. Sowore’s absence from earlier proceedings had escalated matters, but his legal team, led by figures including R.O. Adakole, pushed vigorously for relief.

The defense even appealed for temporary release to facilitate retrieval of his passport from the U.S. Embassy in Lagos.

The judge adjourned further hearing to July 6, 2026, keeping the case very much alive.

This bail ruling offers Sowore a pathway out of custody but under tight constraints that underscore the seriousness with which the court views the matter.

It also highlights broader tensions in Nigeria: the intersection of digital speech, political opposition, and the rule of law.

In an era where social media amplifies voices and risks alike, cases like Sowore’s test the boundaries of expression versus potential harm.

For Sowore’s supporters, today’s outcome is a partial victory and a reminder of resilience in the face of power.

For critics, it reaffirms that no one is above the law. As the trial continues, all eyes remain on Abuja’s Federal High Court—where politics, press freedom, and justice collide once more.