Alleged Cybercrime: Court grants Sowore ₦200 Million bail, orders seizure of International Passport

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in the sum of ₦200 million.

Delivering the ruling on Monday, the court ordered Sowore to provide two sureties in like sum and surrender his international passport as part of the bail conditions.

The court further directed that one of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s hometown, while the second must own a verifiable landed property in Abuja.

Sowore has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 22, 2026, following a remand order issued by Justice Mohammed Umar over charges linked to comments in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

The ruling came after a morning of heightened security at the Federal High Court, where operatives of the DSS and the Nigerian Correctional Service mounted heavy security around the premises.

Before the proceedings began, journalists were prevented from accessing the courtroom, with armed security personnel barricading the entrance despite earlier assurances that members of the press would be allowed in.

Several journalists expressed frustration over the restriction, saying they were left waiting in the court’s foyer while proceedings commenced behind closed doors.

The case has continued to attract widespread public attention, with rights groups and civil society organisations raising concerns over Sowore’s detention and the heavy security presence during the bail hearing.