JUST IN; Court warns Sowore, threatens to revoke his bail
JUST IN; Court warns Sowore, threatens to revoke his bail
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, threatened to revoke a bail granted Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, if he makes comments considered detrimental to national peace and security.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on Sowore’s bail application after he was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS), restrained him from further making such statements.
Justice Umar held that since there was evidence that Sowore was a presidential candidate in the country before and having also earlier been granted bail by the court, with his international passport still being held by the court, he was entitled to be granted bail on self-recognition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSS, accused Sowore of making a false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
The security agency, in the five counts, sued Sowore, the 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), as 1st defendant and joined X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp as 2nd and 3rd defendants.
Earlier when the matter was called for Sowore to take his plea, his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competency of the charge.
Abubakar argued that a preliminary objection had been served on the counsel for prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.
He, however, informed the court that the preliminary objections was served on the DSS lawyer few minutes before commencement of the proceedings.
He argued that his client cannot take a plea on a charge that was incompetent.
Responding, Kehinde vehemently objected to Abubakar ‘s submission.
The senior lawyer, who argued that the application was not ripe to be taken, said the business of the day was for Sowore’s arraignment.
He said the preliminary objections filed was part of the mischief of the 1st defendant (Sowore)’s lawyer to delay proceedings in the matter.
He reminded the court that so many adjournments had been granted at the instance of the 1st defendant in the past.
Kehinde, who cited Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to back his argument, said no application ought to be heard until Sowore’s arraignment.
Lawyers who appeared for X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp (2nd and 3rd defendants), including Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, did not opposed the application for the matter to to proceed.
In a short ruling, Justice Umar aligned with the argument of the DSS lawyer and ordered that the arraignment should proceed.
Sowore, however, pleaded not guilty to the five counts.
Following the not guilty plea, Kehinde applied for a trial date but Abubakar said a bail application had been filed on Sowore’s behalf.
The lawyer, while arguing the bail motion dated Aug. 18, urged the court to admit Sowore to bail on self-recognizance or most liberal terms.
He said the 1st defendant was willing and ready to stand his trial and that he would not jump bail.
“He is a law-abiding citizen. He is a two-time presidential candidate.
“Just three days ago, the applicant won an election as chairman of a major political party in Nigeria, AAC.
“And that he is ready to prove his innocent before your lordship,” he said.
Abubakar, who urged the court to grant their application, undertook to always ensure that Sowore is in court for his trial.
He said the 1st defendant’s international passport was already with the deputy chief registrar of the court, hence, he cannot jump bail.
Responding, the DSS lawyer said I’m opposition to the bail application, a counter affidavit of 40 paragraphs was filed.
Kehinde, though a bail is at the discretion of the court, he prayed the court to refused Sowore’s bail plea.
He submitted that one fundamental consideration in the exercise of the discretionary power of the court in granting bail is contained in Section 162 of ACJA, 2015.
“That the applicant (Sowore) has a duty to convince my lord that where this application is granted, he will not commit another similar offence,” he said.
The senior lawyer argued that looking at Sowore’s trajectory, the instant bail cannot be granted, the applicant, having flouted a previous order of the court.
“I urge my lord to be weary in exercising this discretion.
“And if your lordship is inclined to exercising the discretion, the conditions should be very stringent,” he prayed.
Ogunwumiju and Christabel Ndokwelu who appeared for X and Facebook did not oppose the application.
Justice Umar, who admitted Sowore to bail on self-recognition, barred him from making statements considered to be a threat to the country’s national unity and peace.
The judge, who warned that his bail would be revoked if the 1st defendant indulged in such act, adjourned the matter until Jan. 19, 2026 for commencement of trial.(NAN)(www.namnews.ng)
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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