Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has rejected the bail conditions imposed by the Nigeria Police Force, choosing instead to remain in detention.
Sowore appeared at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) headquarters in Abuja on Monday after being summoned regarding a viral video he posted on social media. The video reportedly accused police officers at a Lagos checkpoint of extortion.
In addition to the extortion allegations, Sowore faced accusations of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly intended to prevent arrests.
Following his engagement with the police, Sowore disclosed via his official X handle that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of FID, Dasuki Galandachi, had instructed his personnel to grant him bail pending the conclusion of the investigation.
However, Sowore stated that the proposed bail conditions would compromise his “innocence, dignity, and integrity.” He revealed that the police requested the submission of his international passport and the provision of a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for administrative bail.
Sowore described the conditions as “unreasonable” and announced his decision to remain in detention. In his words:
“I have also advised the DIG that in accepting ‘bail,’ I will not agree to conditions that compromise my innocence, dignity, and integrity. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court.”
In a follow-up post, he reiterated his stance:
“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. 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. #RevolutionNow.”
The investigation stems from Sowore’s allegations of extortion against officers at a Lagos checkpoint, which sparked widespread reactions on social media. Sowore maintains that the accusations leveled against him lack merit and reflect the “impunity” that has become characteristic of the police hierarchy.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement and activists like Sowore, known for his outspoken criticism of government institutions. The case remains under investigation, with Sowore’s decision to reject bail conditions drawing public attention to the matter.
Sowore’s stance has garnered mixed reactions, with some praising his refusal to compromise his principles, while others criticize his confrontational approach. The broader implications of the case may further ignite debates about police accountability and the treatment of activists in Nigeria.
