Sowore rejects bail conditions, opts to stay in police custody

Michael Adesina

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has rejected the bail conditions given to him by the Nigeria Police Force following his invitation for questioning over a viral video he recorded.

Sowore confirmed his decision on his X account on Monday.

The activist said, “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.”

In another update on his page, Sowore noted that the police later reviewed the bail condition, but he rejected it.

He said: “The PoliceNG team assigned to my case has informed me that the DIG of FID, Dasuki Galandachi, has reevaluated my bail conditions, necessitating the production of a level 16 civil servant and the surrender of my international passport, a condition I have declined outright.

“I refuse to participate in any arrangement that undermines my personal integrity.

“Below is also the response of my lawyer, Femi Falana SAN to the ridiculous request of the Nigeria Police.

“Dear Hon DIG,

“Thanks for reducing the bail condition of Mr. Omoyele Sowore to a surety of level 16.

“However, I wish to point out that such bail condition has been declared illegal by the Court of Appeal in the case of Dasuki V. Director-General, S.S.S. [2020]10 NWLR PT.1731 PG. 136-143 where Adah JCA (now JSC) held as follows:

“Let me quickly say that of concern it is to us that as a court we must be ready and sensitive enough not to allow or do anything that will run foul of the law. The issue of involving civil servants or Public Officers in the Public Service of the Federation and the State in bail of people accused of criminal offences has never been the practice in Nigeria or any part of the civilized world. It was an oversight on our part to allow it in. Our Civil and Public Service Rules do not have any room for it. Expecting a Level 16 Servant to own property worth N100,000,000, will be running counter to the Public Service Rules and by extension the war against corruption. It is in this respect that I will act ex debito justitiae to ensure that the aspect of involving serving Public Servant below the status of Level 16 Officer in either the state or Public Service of the Federation or any of its agencies be removed and I so order.”

The police are investigating Sowore for “resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful order, acts intended to cause grievous harm or prevent arrest, compelling action by intimidation, reckless & negligent acts, refusal to assist public servant and cyberstalking in which your name featured, prominently”.

Following his refusal to accept the bail condition, Sowore confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force will hold him in custody until further notice.