A Federal Judge has set aside an arrest warrant against activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, and granted him bail after revoking an earlier one for failing to show up in his ongoing trial.
An earlier bail granted Sowore was revoked and a warrant for his arrest ordered by the court for failing to show up for his trial on June 16.
Sowore who is on trial for allegedly defaming Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu was admitted to bail in the sum of 200 million naira along with two sureties. One of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from his community Kiribo, a town in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.
The trial judge, Mohammed Umar, ruled that the second surety must be a resident of Abuja and an owner of a landed property. The court also ordered the prosecution to verify the sureties.
Lastly, Justice Umar ordered the defendant to deposit his passport with the court.
The court expressed satisfaction with the defendant’s ‘readiness in the case.’ He added that Sowore did not wait till he was arrested. The judge expressed satisfaction that the defendant readily made himself available for trial.
“He came to court to face his trial. This shows that he is set to face his trial with all seriousness.”
On the aspect of the defendant’s passport, his counsel, Raphael Adakole, said it is presently at the United States Embassy in Lagos and would need to be there in person to get it. The lawyer thereby made an undertaking assuring that their client would be their responsibility. He assured that Sowore would be present to face trial.
Adakole said meeting that request was crucial as it is part of the terms of bail handed down by the court.
Following this request, the trial judge gave a ruling handing the defendant over to his legal team headed by Senior Advocate Adeyinka Fusika. The judge adjourned the case till July 6 for Sowore to open his defense.
