Publisher and former presidential candidate must provide two sureties, surrender passport as court prepares to hear his defence…..
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the sum of ₦200 million as he continues to face cybercrime charges brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Mohammed Umar directed Sowore to produce two sureties before he can enjoy the bail. According to the court, one of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community, while the second must own landed property within Abuja.
The judge further ordered that both sureties be verified by the prosecution to ensure they meet the court’s requirements.
As part of the bail conditions, Sowore was also instructed 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 fixed Monday, July 6, for the commencement of his defence.
The latest development comes weeks after Justice Umar ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre while considering his application for a stay of the court’s earlier decision revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant against him.
The court had also rejected an application filed by Sowore seeking Justice Umar’s withdrawal from the case over allegations of bias.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the DSS over allegations that he made defamatory and false claims against President Bola Tinubu in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts, where he allegedly described the President as “a criminal.”
The case is expected to enter a new phase when Sowore begins presenting his defence at the next hearing.
