Prominent activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was detained on Monday at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) detention facility in Abuja after rejecting the bail conditions set by the police. Sowore, who arrived at the Force Intelligence Headquarters earlier that day, was taken away in a police van under heavy security around 5 p.m.
The detention followed Sowore’s refusal to accept what he described as “outrageous” bail conditions. According to his legal team, led by Deji Adeyanju and Marshall Abubakar, the conditions required Sowore to produce a Level 17 civil servant, such as a permanent secretary, as a guarantor, and to surrender his passport. Sowore demanded an unconditional release or bail on self-recognition, citing the voluntary nature of his response to the police’s invitation.
Adeyanju condemned the police’s actions, describing the conditions as excessive and politically motivated. “Even for terrorism-related cases, it is rare to impose such stringent bail conditions for administrative bail,” Adeyanju argued. He further alleged that the case is part of a deliberate attempt to silence Sowore for his criticism of the Inspector General of Police’s extended tenure.
Sowore was invited by the police over allegations that included resisting public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and obstruction of arrests. These charges stemmed from a viral video he posted, alleging extortion by police officers at a Lagos checkpoint.
During his visit to the Force Intelligence Headquarters at 9:58 a.m. on Monday, Sowore participated in what the police referred to as an “interview.” However, he refused to provide a written statement, stating that the alleged crime was not clearly defined.
In a Facebook post, Sowore expressed 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 press time, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, has not issued a response regarding the possibility of revising the bail conditions. Sowore’s detention has sparked concerns among activists and legal experts, who see it as a troubling move against dissent and press freedom.
The case continues to draw attention as Nigerians await further developments on the bail terms and the broader implications for freedom of expression in the country.
