From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has fixed today to deliver ruling in the bail application moved by the convener of #RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore was yesterday arraigned before the court by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on 16- amended charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.
After taking arguments canvassed for and against the bail application, Justice Musa Liman fixed his ruling to Thursday by 1pm.
Earlier in the morning, the defendant was arraigned on an amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, where he entered a plea of not guilty.
Mr Sowore on Monday honoured the invitation of the police where he was questioned at the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
He was subsequently granted administrative bail but rejected the conditions of bail and remained in custody.
The police later filed 17 counts against him, but the charge was reduced to 16 counts.
In count three, the police alleged that Sowore on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, called Egbetokun,“the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force.”
He was also alleged to have posted the picture of Mr Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people cannot make progress.”
The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now.”
After he pleaded not guilty to all the counts, his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, moved his bail application and it was opposed by the IG’s counsel, M.U. Jonathan.
But moving his bail application, Sowore through his counsel, Abubakar Marshall urged the court to admit him bail on self recognize or on liberal terms
He argued that by given an administrative bail to Sowore, the complainant has by that singular action conceded that the alleged offences are bailable in nature
Not withstanding, Marshall further submitted that granting bail to an accused person is at the discretion of the court.
He equally submitted that the defendant has demonstrated good faith by honouring an invitation extended to him by the police through his WhatsApp account.
On his part,the prosecution filed a 25-paragraphs counter affidavit deposed to by Friday Ameh, an investigation officer, in urging the court to dismissed the bail application.
The police argued that the applicant did not furnished the court with sufficient materials to warrant the grant of his application.
In the alternative, the prosecution submitted that if the court is minded to grant the bail application, it should attached stringent conditions that would compel the applicant to.stand his trial.