…Sowore pleaded not guilty, Court rule on bail application Thursday
The Nigeria Police on Wednesday arraigned former presidential candidate and activist, Omoleye Sowore on an amended 16-count charge over comments he made on social media on the Inspector-General I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The I-G had, in the amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, named Sowore, the Convener of the #RevolutionNow Protest, as sole defendant.
In count three, the police alleged that Sowore, on Dec. 20, 2024, through his X handle, called Egbetokun, “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force.”
He was also alleged to have posted the picture of Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people can not make progress.”
The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now.”
Sowore, pleaded not guilty to all the counts after the court clerk read the charges and the court stood down the matter for hearing of bail application filed by Marshall Abubakar the Defence counsel.
When the court reconvened, Abubakar moved the bail application filed by Sowore and urged the court to grant it on Sowore self-recognition or on the most liberal terms pending trial.
According to Abubakar, bail is at the discretion of the court and prayed the court to exercise it in favour of Sowore.
He argued that the complainant had not shown any reason for denying the applicant bail.
He said, the police had stated that it granted the applicant bail and conceded in its affidavit that Sowore was entitled to bail.
He said Sowore had undertaken to stand his trial and would not interfere with the witnesses of the prosecution.
The prosecution lawyer, Uddy Jonathan,, who appeared for the I-G, opposed the request for bail.
The prosecution in a 25-paragraph counter affidavit, prayed the court to dismiss the bail application, adding that bail cannot be granted in a vacuum.
He said the applicant had not placed anything before the court to show that, he would be available for his trial.
He urged the court to refuse the application or grant the applicant bail on conditions that would make him appear in court for his trial.
After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Musa Liman adjourned till Thursday for ruling.