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IPAC condemns detention, demands unconditional release
The Federal High Court in Abuja will today rule on Sowore’s bail application. The former presidential candidate is facing a 17-count charge under the Cybercrime Act.
Justice Musa Liman fixed today after hearing arguments from Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, and the prosecution counsel representing the Nigerian Police, Udey Jonathan.
Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him earlier. The charges stem from allegations that he used his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ to post a tweet referring to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, as “illegal IGP” The police claim the statement is false and intended to incite public disorder.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Liman stood down the case in the morning and rescheduled the bail ruling for 3:00 p.m. When the court reconvened, Sowore’s counsel urged the court to grant bail on the most liberal terms.
“We have a motion on notice filed today, January 29, 2025,” Abubakar submitted. “We urge your lordship to release the applicant on bail pending the trial’s determination. The applicant has also filed a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Sunday Agabi, and we rely on its contents to support our application. He further argued that the court can grant bail, irrespective of the prosecution’s opposition.
MEANWHILE, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), yesterday, condemned the illegal detention of human rights activist, African Action Congress (AAC) National Chairman, and its 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who is currently detained by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and demanded the immediate release.
It would be recalled that Sowore was arrested on Monday after rejecting the bail conditions set by the police. His detention followed his appearance in response to a police invitation regarding a video he recorded during an altercation with officers on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
Reacting in a statement, IPAC National Publicity Secretary, Mrs Chinyere Oge-Kalu, described Sowore’s detention under such stringent and illegal bail conditions as unacceptable.
Oge-Kalu said: “Council demands his unconditional release as his continued detention is a flagrant violation of his fundamental right as provided for in the 1999 Constitution as amended. In the alternative, the Police should charge him to court if a prima facie case is established against him.”