Court Declines FG’s Request to Send Sowore to Kuje Prison

The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his alleged failure to comply with the conditions attached to his fresh ₦200 million bail.

The request was made on Monday 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 granted Sowore fresh bail on June 30 after revoking his previous bail due to his absence from court during trial proceedings. The court ordered him to provide two sureties, including a traditional ruler from his community and another person with landed property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as deposit his international passport with the court. Pending compliance, he was released into the custody of his lawyer.

At Monday's hearing, the prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Akinlolu Kehinde, argued that Sowore had not fulfilled the bail conditions and urged the court to remand him at the Kuje Correctional Centre until full compliance.

Kehinde maintained that court orders must be obeyed, noting that the defendant had neither met the bail requirements nor applied for any variation of the conditions.

In response, Sowore's lawyer, Olumide Fusika (SAN), urged the court to reject the application, stressing that bail is meant to guarantee a defendant's appearance in court rather than serve as punishment.

He explained that verification of the bail documents had been largely completed and assured the court that Sowore's international passport would be deposited before the end of the day. Fusika added that the delay in retrieving the passport was caused by the United States Embassy in Lagos being closed during the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Justice Umar declined the prosecution's request and allowed Sowore to remain in the custody of his lawyer.

During the defence, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju testified as the first witness. He told the court that President Tinubu had previously stated during an official event in Benue State that Nigerians have the democratic right to criticise and even insult public office holders.

Adeyanju also said the President emphasised that the judiciary should protect citizens' rights rather than be used to suppress critics. Video recordings of the President's remarks were admitted into evidence through a flash drive.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until July 13 for continuation of the trial.