By David Lawani, Abuja
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday admitted the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, to ₦200 million bail in his ongoing trial over alleged cybercrime offences.
The court ruled that Sowore must produce two sureties as part of the bail conditions. One of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from his community, while the second must own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Justice Umar further directed the prosecution to verify the credentials of the two sureties before the bail could take effect.
In addition, the court ordered the former presidential candidate to surrender his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court pending the conclusion of the trial.
Following the ruling, Justice Umar released Sowore into the custody of his legal team and adjourned proceedings until July 6 for the commencement of his defence.
The ruling marks a fresh twist in the trial after the court earlier revoked Sowore’s bail and ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
At the previous sitting, Justice Umar directed that the defendant remain in custody pending the determination of his application seeking a stay of execution of the order revoking his bail and the bench warrant issued against him.
The judge also dismissed Sowore’s application seeking his recusal from the case over allegations of judicial bias.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he violated the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by making what it described as false and injurious statements against President Bola Tinubu on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
According to the prosecution, Sowore allegedly referred to the President as “a criminal”, a statement the DSS contends constitutes an offence under the cybercrime law.
The case is expected to enter the defence stage when proceedings resume next Monday.
