N igerian activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has declined the bail conditions imposed by the Nigerian police, opting instead to remain in custody.
The bail terms required Sowore to surrender his passport and present a Grade Level 17 civil servant, equivalent to a permanent secretary, as a surety. This development follows Sowore's summons by the police over a viral video he shared, which accused officers of extortion at a Lagos checkpoint.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Sowore firmly rejected the bail conditions, stating that he would stay in custody until the matter is resolved. He criticized the police for basing their investigation on vague and unsubstantiated claims, emphasizing that no concrete evidence of wrongdoing had been presented.
“I have refused to comply with a bail condition that demands I produce a Level 17 Permanent Secretary. Instead, I have chosen to remain in police custody until this charade is over,” Sowore wrote.
During his interaction with officers at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, Sowore declined to provide a written statement, arguing that the allegations against him lacked merit.
Sowore further asserted that he would not accept bail conditions that undermine his dignity and integrity. He also linked the case to his vocal opposition to the alleged illegal extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“I am ready to face any consequences. I made it clear to the police that this issue stems from my public stance against the unlawful extension of the Inspector-General of Police’s tenure. Kayode Egbetokun, who was due for retirement in 2024, has had his tenure extended illegally. I stand by my position and will continue to fight for justice,” Sowore declared.
Sowore’s decision to remain in custody has sparked discussions about the fairness of the bail conditions and the broader implications for activists and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
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