The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to human rights activist, publisher and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, in the sum of ₦200 million over allegations bordering on cybercrime.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the ruling on Tuesday, ordered Sowore to provide two sureties in like sum as part of the conditions attached to the bail.
According to the court, one of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community, while the second must be the owner of a verifiable landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The judge further directed that the prosecution verify both sureties before the bail conditions can be perfected.The court also ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar pending the conclusion of the trial.
Following the ruling, Justice Umar released the defendant to his legal team and adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, for the commencement of the defence.
Sowore is facing cybercrime-related charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over comments in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal. The activist has remained in custody since June 22 after the court ordered his remand pending the determination of his bail application.
Tuesday’s proceedings attracted significant public interest and were preceded by a heavy security presence at the court premises. Operatives of the DSS and the Nigerian Correctional Service were deployed around the court complex, while access to parts of the premises was tightly controlled.
The security arrangement generated criticism from media practitioners after journalists were initially prevented from entering the courtroom to cover the proceedings. Several reporters who arrived early at the venue complained that armed security personnel blocked access despite assurances that accredited journalists would be allowed into the courtroom.The restriction left many journalists waiting in the foyer of the court complex as proceedings got underway, raising concerns among press freedom advocates and observers monitoring the high-profile case.
Sowore’s legal troubles have continued to draw national attention due to his prominence as a political activist, publisher and frequent critic of government policies.
Supporters have repeatedly called for his release, while rights groups have expressed concern over the implications of the case for freedom of expression and civic engagement in Nigeria.
With bail now granted, attention will shift to the next phase of the trial as the court prepares to hear the defence when proceedings resume on July 6.
