FG seeks Sowore’s remand over unmet bail conditions

The Federal Government on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over claims that he had not complied with the conditions attached to his fresh N200 million bail.

The request came as Sowore began presenting his defence in the criminal defamation case filed against him over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

Justice Mohammed Umar had on June 30 granted Sowore a fresh N200 million bail after revoking his earlier bail because of his failure to attend trial. The court directed him to provide two sureties, including a traditional ruler from his community and another person with landed property in the Federal Capital Territory.

He was also ordered to deposit his international passport with the court. Pending compliance with the conditions, the judge released him into the custody of his lawyer.

At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that Sowore had not fulfilled the bail requirements and asked that he be moved to the Kuje Correctional Centre until the conditions were met. The prosecution argued that the defendant had neither completed the conditions nor applied for any changes to the court’s order.

Sowore’s lawyer opposed the application, telling the court that bail is meant to ensure a defendant appears for trial and should not be used as a punishment. He explained that the verification of the bail documents had been largely completed and assured the court that Sowore’s international passport would be submitted before the close of business on Monday.

The defence also said there was a brief delay in retrieving the passport from the United States Embassy in Lagos because the embassy had observed a public holiday during celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Counsel urged the court to allow Sowore to remain in his custody until the next hearing while the remaining conditions were completed.

After considering both arguments, Justice Umar rejected the prosecution’s request for Sowore’s remand and allowed him to remain with his lawyer.

The trial then moved to the defence stage, with Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju appearing as Sowore’s first witness. During his testimony, Adeyanju told the court that President Tinubu had previously stated during an official engagement in Benue State that Nigerians have the freedom to criticise and even insult public office holders as part of democratic rights.

The witness also said the President had stated that the judiciary should protect the public and should not be used to silence critics. Video recordings of the President’s remarks were presented to the court through a flash drive and admitted as evidence.

Justice Umar later adjourned the matter until July 13 for the continuation of the defence.