NIGERIA: Sowore Rejects Police Bail Conditions, Chooses Detention

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has made the bold decision to reject the administrative bail offered to him by the Nigerian Police.

The activist’s refusal follows his summons over a viral video he shared, documenting his encounter with police officers in Lagos.

Sowore, who arrived at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja on Monday, was called in to address allegations of extortion by officers at a Lagos checkpoint.

He also faces accusations of resisting public officers, disobeying lawful orders, cyberstalking, and attempting to obstruct arrests.

In an earlier social media post, Sowore revealed that after completing his engagement with the Police, he was informed that the authorities were awaiting higher orders to determine his fate.

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Force Intelligence Directorate, Dasuki Galandachi, later instructed his officers to grant Sowore bail while investigations continue.

However, Sowore made it clear that he would not accept the terms of the bail if they compromised his dignity, integrity, or innocence.

“If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court. There is no crime to investigate; it is just impunity,” he stated.

In a follow-up tweet, Sowore disclosed that the police had asked him to surrender his international passport and provide a civil servant at the level of 17 as a guarantor for his bail.

Rejecting these terms, he reiterated his decision to remain in custody, expressing that he would not entertain what he termed a “silly joke.”

“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 said.

His lawyer and ally, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed Sowore’s decision on social media, stating, “SOWORE has opted to stay in police custody until their silly joke is over.”