Sowore rejects bail conditions, offers to remain in police custody

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023, says he has rejected the bail conditions set by the Nigeria Police Force.

Sowore, who arrived at the force headquarters in Abuja on Monday for questioning, said he declined the conditions, which required him to deposit his international passport and present a level 17 civil servant as a guarantor.

Speaking after his appearance, the activist accused the police of failing to clarify the charges against him, describing the process as a “joke”.

The police had invited Sowore for questioning on Monday over allegations of cyberstalking, negligent acts, and intimidation.

The police invitation is connected to a viral video wherein Sowore confronted officers who had stopped his vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagos.

Accompanied by his legal team, Sowore said he refused to write a statement at the force headquarters, citing a lack of clarity on the alleged offences.

He also claimed the police were planning to detain him and transfer him to Lagos for what he called a “kangaroo” trial.

The activist said he has offered to remain in police custody “pending when the joke is over”.

“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,” Sowore said.

“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.”