Abuja Court Sets Sowore N200M Bail With Strict Conditions

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore bail in the sum of 200 million naira, imposing strict new conditions after revoking his earlier bail earlier this month. Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the ruling on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on cybercrime charges. The case stems from social media posts he made in August 2025 on X and Facebook, in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in December 2025 and was initially granted bail on self-recognition.

The court revoked that bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest on June 16 after he failed to appear for trial. Sowore was subsequently arrested and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. His legal team filed an application for the restoration of bail, which was argued last week.

In Tuesday's ruling, Justice Umar granted the application but set stringent terms. Sowore must provide two sureties for the 200 million naira bail sum. One surety must be a traditional ruler from his community in Ondo State, while the...