Court Grants Sowore Bail Amid Strict Conditions
Activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has been granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million by the Federal High Court in Abuja. This ruling comes after he spent over a week at the Kuje Correctional Centre following the revocation of his previous bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar set stringent conditions for his release, requiring two sureties. One surety must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s home community in Ese-Odo, Ondo State, while the second must own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Additionally, the court ordered that both sureties be verified by the prosecution and that Sowore deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar.
The charges against the Sahara Reporters publisher stem from social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The Department of State Services (DSS) initiated these proceedings, leading to his initial arraignment in December 2025. His bail was previously revoked on June 16, 2026, after he failed to appear in court for his trial.
Addressing the situation after the court session, Sowore remained defiant regarding the ongoing legal battle. He stated, “There is no force on earth that can stop this revolution. We warned them, but they didn’t listen. I was granted N200 million bail. They have always been after my passport. When we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”
The Take It Back Movement has since criticized the bail terms as “punitive, oppressive and excessive,” arguing that the conditions are designed to intimidate the activist rather than ensure his court attendance. They contend that the requirements bear “no reasonable relationship” to the case and represent a broader effort to suppress political dissent.
The court has adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, when the defense is expected to open its case. For now, Sowore remains in custody pending the fulfillment of the court’s rigorous bail conditions
