BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled Thursday for its ruling on the bail application of former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, who is facing a 17-count charge under the Cybercrime Act.
Justice Musa Liman fixed the date after hearing arguments from Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, and the prosecution counsel representing the Nigerian Police Force, Udey Jonathan.
Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him earlier in the day.
The charges stem from allegations that he used his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ to post a tweet referring to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.”
The police claim the statement is false and intended to incite public disorder.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Liman stood down the case in the morning and rescheduled the bail ruling for 3 p.m.
When the court reconvened, Sowore’s counsel urged the court to grant bail on the most liberal terms.
“We have a motion on notice filed today, January 29, 2025,” Abubakar submitted.
“We urge your lordship to release the applicant on bail pending the trial’s determination. The applicant has also filed a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Sunday Agabi, and we rely on its contents to support our application.”
He further argued that the court has the discretion to grant bail, irrespective of the prosecution’s opposition.
Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel, Udey Jonathan, urged the court to deny Sowore bail, citing a counter-affidavit filed by one Friday Ameh, a police intelligence officer.
“My lord, we rely on all paragraphs of our counter-affidavit, supported by a written address dated January 29, 2025, which we adopt as our oral argument against the bail application,” Udey stated.
He argued that bail should not be granted lightly, saying, “Bail is not a privilege handed out like candies. If the court chooses to grant it, stringent conditions should be imposed, including the surrender of the defendant’s international passport, to guarantee his presence at trial.”
After listening to both parties, Justice Liman adjourned the ruling to Thursday at 1 p.m.
Until then, Sowore remains in police custody.
