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Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was, on Monday, detained at the IRT detention facility at Abattoir in Abuja after rejecting the bail conditions set for his release.
Sowore, who was taken away in a police van with heavily armed personnel at around 5 p.m. on Monday, had earlier deemed the bail conditions “outrageous” and demanded either an unconditional release or a release on self-recognition.
Sowore’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, accompanied by Marshall Abubakar, explained that Sowore was required to provide a Level 17 civil servant, such as a permanent secretary, as a guarantor for his release.
Additionally, the police demanded that Sowore surrender his passport, which Adeyanju described as an excessive condition, especially considering that Sowore had voluntarily responded to the police’s invitation.
Adeyanju criticised the police, stating, “Sowore has been very vocal in criticising the Inspector General of Police for overstaying his term.
Even for terrorism-related charges, it is rare to impose such stringent bail conditions for administrative bail. This is nothing but a calculated attempt to persecute and hound Sowore for his vocal criticism of the IGP’s extended tenure.”
Sowore had been invited to the Force Intelligence Headquarters in Abuja over allegations that included resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.
These allegations stemmed from a viral video Sowore posted, which claimed extortion by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.
Sowore arrived at the station with his legal team around 9:58 a.m. and participated in what the police termed an “interview.”
However, Sowore refused to provide a written statement, pointing out that the alleged crime was not clearly defined.
In a post on his Facebook page, Sowore shared his frustration, saying, “When I asked them to specify the location of the alleged crime in Lagos, they gave a vague response, stating it was along the airport road. In the absence of a defined crime, I saw no need to provide a written statement.”
As of now, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, has not responded to inquiries regarding whether Sowore’s bail conditions will be revised.
