Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million to Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher, who is facing alleged cybercrime charges.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Umar directed that Sowore must provide two sureties: one must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community, and the other must possess landed property in Abuja. The prosecution is to verify both sureties.
Additionally, the court ordered Sowore to submit his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar, pending the determination of the case. After these directives, the judge released Sowore into the custody of his lawyers and adjourned the proceedings to Monday, July 6, for the opening of Sowore’s defence.
Earlier in the month, Justice Umar had ordered Sowore’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of his motion for a stay of the order revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant. The court also dismissed an earlier application by Sowore, in which he sought the judge’s recusal over alleged bias.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu, whom he referred to as “a criminal” in posts on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
