JUST IN; Sowore rejects police bail conditions, chooses to remain in Police custody
JUST IN; Sowore rejects police bail conditions, chooses to remain in Police custody
Omoyele Sowore, a former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and activist, has declined to accept the terms of the Nigerian police’s bail and chose to stay in detention.
The decision was made after he was told that he would have to give up his international passport and furnish a Grade Level 17 officer, which is the equivalent of a permanent secretary, as surety in order to be released on bail.
Sowore had arrived at the police headquarters in Abuja early Monday morning after being summoned for questioning regarding a viral video he posted, which accused police officers of extorting motorists at a checkpoint in Lagos.
As he made his way to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), the area surrounding the Force Headquarters was heavily barricaded, with roads blocked from both ends.
The police had issued a formal invitation to Sowore, outlining several charges against him, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobeying lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.
After his questioning, Sowore posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, revealing that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dasuki Galandachi, had informed him that he would be granted bail pending the conclusion of the investigation.
However, Sowore made it clear that he would not accept the bail if the conditions were unreasonable.
“I have been informed by the DIG of FID that my bail has been approved, but if the conditions are unreasonable, I will remain in detention until I am charged to court,” Sowore wrote.
“I know there is no defined crime to investigate—it’s just the impunity of the police hierarchy.”
Later, Sowore reiterated his stance by rejecting the bail conditions outright.
“The Nigeria Police Force has requested that I deposit my International Passport and provide a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for bail, but I have declined these conditions and opted to remain in police custody,” he declared.
Sowore, who had arrived at the Force Intelligence Department at around 9:56 a.m., was accompanied by his lawyers and supporters, including members of the Take It Back Movement.
The group had earlier circulated a flier on social media, calling for a protest against police extortion at the Force Headquarters, urging supporters to “Occupy Force Headquarters.”
In the official invitation from the FID, Sowore was informed that he was being investigated for multiple offenses, including obstructing public officers, cyberstalking, and preventing arrests.
He was instructed to attend an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Force Intelligence Department at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025.
Outside the FID premises, members of the Take It Back Movement gathered, waiting for updates on Sowore’s situation, as the activist continues to challenge what he views as the unjust actions of the police.
News
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
News
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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