Human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore has chosen to remain in police custody after refusing what he describes as “illegal” bail conditions imposed by the Nigeria Police Force. The activist will be detained at the former SARS facility at Abattoir in Abuja until further notice.
The police had demanded that Sowore produce a level 16 civil servant as surety and surrender his international passport to secure his release. These conditions came after he honored an invitation to answer questions about his exposé on police officers allegedly extorting motorists in Ikeja, Lagos State.
“I refuse to participate in any arrangement that undermines my personal integrity,” Sowore declared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
He revealed that the new conditions were set by DIG Dasuki Galandachi of the Federal Intelligence Department (FID). Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), representing Sowore, has backed his client’s decision, citing legal precedent from the Court of Appeal in the Dasuki case that declared such conditions illegal.
The police are investigating Sowore for multiple allegations including “resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful order, acts intended to cause grievous harm or prevent arrest, compelling action by intimidation, reckless & negligent acts, refusal to assist public servant and cyberstalking.”
In a defiant post on X, Sowore stated, “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.”
