Sowore's Bail Reaffirmed
Nigerian Court Reaffirms Sowore's N200 Million Bail Amid Cybercrime Charges
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Key Points
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The court directed that Sowore’s two ₦200 million bail sureties be verified by the prosecution, and ordered that Sowore deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
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Security at the Abuja court during the bail ruling was extremely tight, with journalists reporting they were blocked from entering the courtroom as DSS and prison officers barricaded entrances; one journalist said, 'We are not allowed to enter.'
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Earlier in December, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognizance after arraignment by the DSS, a prior bail arrangement that preceded later developments in June.
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On June 16, Justice Umar revoked Sowore’s bail for failing to appear and issued a bench warrant; subsequent stay-of-execution rulings vacated the revocation and the bench warrant, and the judge also dismissed a bid to recuse him.
A Federal High Court in Abuja granted activist Omoyele Sowore bail of ₦200 million on June 30, 2026, ending his eight-day detention at Kuje Correctional Centre. Justice Mohammed Umar vacated an earlier bench warrant and restored Sowore's bail, according to TVC News, requiring two sureties — one a traditional ruler from his community and one a property owner in Abuja.
The ruling caps a months-long legal battle between Sowore and the Department of State Services, which is prosecuting him for calling President Bola Tinubu "a criminal" on social media. His trial resumes July 6, 2026, when he is expected to open his defense.
How Sowore Ended Up Back Behind Bars
The case began in August 2025, when Sowore posted on X and Facebook calling President Tinubu "a criminal" after Tinubu's visit to Brazil. The DSS arraigned him on December 2, 2025, at the Federal High Court. Justice Umar initially granted him bail on self-recognizance, according to Premium Times.
The situation unraveled on June 16, 2026. Sowore skipped court, citing a prior engagement in Lagos. Justice Umar rejected his written request for an adjournment, revoked his bail, and issued a bench warrant. When Sowore appeared on June 22, the judge sent him to Kuje prison and dismissed his bid to have the judge removed from the case, as Channels TV reported.
₦200 Million Bail Terms and What They Mean for Sowore
The ₦200 million bail comes with strict conditions. Sowore must provide two sureties — each guaranteeing the full ₦200 million. One must be a traditional ruler from his home community. The other must own verified landed property in Abuja. He must also surrender his international passport to the court's Deputy Chief Registrar, according to Newsposl.
Legal analysts say the surety requirements are unusually tough. Requiring a traditional ruler is seen as a way to put communal pressure on Sowore. The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), had argued that Sowore's June 16 absence was a "mischief" designed to "irritate the court" and delay proceedings, as ThisDay Live reported.
Journalists Blocked as Security Surrounds the Courthouse
The June 30 hearing was tense. DSS officers and correctional service personnel barricaded the courthouse entrance. Reporters said they could not get in. One journalist told outlets directly: "We are not allowed to enter." The heavy security drew sharp criticism from press freedom advocates.
Media groups and civil rights organizations have flagged the trial as a threat to free speech. SERAP and Amnesty International have called on President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General to drop the charges. They say the case misuses laws meant to fight genuine cyber threats, not silence political critics, according to Quicknews Africa.
A Cybercrime Law Critics Say Is Being Weaponized
Sowore is charged under Section 24(1)(b) of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act, which was amended in February 2024. The law covers cyberstalking and criminal defamation. The government says calling a sitting president "a criminal" on social media can cause a breakdown of law and order. If convicted, Sowore could face years in prison.
This is not Sowore's first clash with the Cybercrime Act. In early 2025, he was jailed for calling the Inspector General of Police an "illegal IGP." With Nigeria's 2027 elections approaching, critics say the ongoing prosecution of a prominent opposition figure sets a dangerous precedent for online speech across the country, according to Newsposl.
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