On Monday, January 28, 2025, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was detained by the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja after refusing to comply with stringent bail conditions imposed upon him. Sowore had been invited to the Force Intelligence Department (FID) complex for questioning related to allegations of cyberstalking, resisting and obstructing public officers, and disobedience to lawful orders.
Upon his arrival at the FID complex around 10 a.m., Sowore, accompanied by his legal team, was presented with bail conditions that required him to surrender his international passport and provide a guarantor who is a Level 17 civil servant, equivalent to a permanent secretary. Deeming these conditions excessive and illegal, Sowore declined to comply, opting instead to remain in police custody.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Sowore expressed his refusal to accept the bail terms, stating, “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.”
Sowore’s legal counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, supported his client’s decision, referencing a Court of Appeal judgment in Dasuki v. Director-General of SSS, which declared such bail conditions illegal. Falana emphasized that involving civil servants as sureties is not a recognized practice in Nigeria and contradicts public service rules.
The allegations against Sowore stem from a viral video he posted, alleging extortion by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. During his interrogation, Sowore refused to provide a written statement, citing the police’s failure to specify the exact nature and location of the alleged crime.
As of now, Sowore remains detained at the Abattoir police station in Guzape, Abuja, a facility previously associated with the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the potential revision of the bail conditions or Sowore’s continued detention.
This incident has garnered significant attention, with many viewing the stringent bail conditions as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and silence a prominent critic of the government. The situation continues to develop, with observers closely monitoring the actions of the Nigerian Police Force and the broader implications for civil liberties in the country.
