Omoyele Sowore Vows To Remain In Detention After Rejecting Police Bail Conditions

Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore was detained at the IRT facility in Abuja after rejecting the bail conditions required for his release.

Omoyele Sowore, who was taken away by police in a van with heavily armed officers around 5 p.m on Monday, described the bail terms as “outrageous.”

The activist called for either an unconditional release or one based on self-recognition, vowing to remain in “police custody pending when the joke is over with. ”

His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, explained that the police demanded a Level 17 civil servant, such as a permanent secretary, to act as a guarantor, along with the surrender of Sowore’s passport.

Adeyanju criticized these conditions as excessive, pointing out that Sowore had voluntarily complied with the police’s invitation.

According to him, the strict bail terms seemed like a deliberate attempt to punish Sowore for his outspoken criticism of the Inspector General of Police, who has been accused of overstaying his tenure.

Adeyanju said, “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.”

Earlier on Monday, Sowore revealed that the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Force Intelligence had authorized his bail, pending the outcome of the investigation.

However, the activist made it clear that he would not accept bail conditions that compromised his integrity.

He wrote, “The DIG of FID, Dasuki Galandachi at the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja had just informed me that he has instructed his personnel to grant me bail, pending the conclusion of the “investigation”.

“I have also advised the DIG that in accepting “bail”, I will not agree to conditions that compromise my innocence, dignity, and integrity. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court, even then I know that there is no crime defined or to be investigated it is just the impunity that has become the hallmark of the @PoliceNG hierarchy.”

In a follow-up post, Sowore disclosed that he had been asked to provide a senior civil servant as a guarantor and surrender his passport. He refused, opting to remain in custody instead.

“The Nigeria Police Force has requested that I deposit my International Passport and provide a level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for bail, but I have declined these conditions and opted to remain in police custody #RevolutionNow

“I have rejected a bail condition asking me to present a level 17 Permanent Secretary, instead I have offered to remain in police custody pending when the joke is over with. #RevolutionNow,” Sowore added.

Omoyele Sowore had been invited to the Force Intelligence Headquarters over allegations of resisting arrest, obstructing officers, cyberstalking, and actions to prevent lawful arrests.

These allegations were linked to a viral video where Sowore accused police officers at a Lagos checkpoint of extortion.

Accompanied by his legal team, Sowore arrived at the station around 10 a.m on Monday and attended what the police described as an “interview.”

However, he refused to provide a written statement, arguing that the alleged crime was vague and undefined.

In a Facebook post, Sowore expressed 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, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi has not commented on whether the bail conditions will be reconsidered.

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2021, Omoyele Sowore was reportedly shot by a police officer during a protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.