WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore has been granted N10 million bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja in the alleged cybercrime charges instituted against him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Justice Musa Liman granted him bail on Thursday with several conditions, including the requirement to deposit his international passport with the court. Naijaonpoint previously reported on Wednesday that Sowore was arraigned before the court on a 16-count amended charge but pleaded not guilty to all charges filed by the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. On Monday, Sowore visited the Force Criminal Investigation Department to answer questions regarding his remarks against the IGP. What transpired in previous court proceedings “Principally, we are asking for the release of the applicant on bail on self-recognition or the most liberal terms possible, pending the hearing and determination of the trial,” Abubakar said. “We urge the court to dismiss the bail application. Bail cannot be granted in a vacuum,” he said. What the court said Ruling on the bail application on Thursday, the judge stated that a person has the right to bail unless there are compelling reasons to deny it. The judge noted that the police argued that Sowore had cronies within and outside Nigeria who could allegedly interfere with the trial. However, the judge ruled that the police failed to prove how Sowore could intimidate high-ranking police officers who would testify in the case. He further stated that the prosecution did not establish any link between Sowore and the purported cronies. The judge concluded that the bail applicant deserves his personal liberty pending the outcome of the trial. “If the applicant desires to jump bail, it is to his own peril,”the judge remarked, noting that the police had previously granted Sowore administrative bail. “Bail is accordingly granted to the applicant in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum,”the judge ruled. Additionally, the judge ordered that: Additionally, the judge ordered that: Following the ruling, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, requested that his client be released to his legal team pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions within a few hours. The judge granted Sowore a 24-hour extension to remain with his lawyers. The case was adjourned to April 8, 2025.
Alleged Cybercrime: Court grants Sowore N10 million bail, orders he deposits his international passport
