Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted a ₦200 million bail to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, who is facing alleged cybercrime charges.
Delivering a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Umar ordered Sowore to produce two sureties. He said one of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community, while the other must own landed property in Abuja.
The court also directed that the prosecution verify the sureties.
As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court pending the determination of the case.
Justice Umar subsequently released the defendant to his lawyers and adjourned the matter until Monday, July 6, for the commencement of the defence.
Earlier this month, the court ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his motion for a stay of the order revoking his bail and the bench warrant issued against him.
The judge had also dismissed Sowore’s application seeking his recusal from the case over allegations of bias.
The Department of State Services is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
