Judge varies bail for Omoyele Sowore, Olawale Bakare

LAGOS, Nigeria – A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja today varied bail conditions for Publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener #RevolutionNow, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and his colleague, Olawale Bakare.

In varying their bail conditions, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu agreed with the submission of their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN who argued that Sowore is a teacher at an American university and that he needed to work in other to carry out his family responsibility.

The prosecution had earlier opposed the application to vary the bail, stressing that there is no proof before the court that Sowore is a teacher in an American university and that national security superceeds freedom of expression.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu however ruled that Omoyele Sowore no longer has to deposite N50 million as security deposit but sureties in like sum. Ojokwu also varied bail for Olawale Bakare. He is now to deposite N20 million with the registrar instead of the initial N50 million.

Omoyele Sowore is on trial by the Department of State Service(DSS) on 7 count charge of terrorism, money laundering and for insulting President Muhammadu Buhari.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu has adjourned the matter to November 6th and 7th, 2019.

Reacting to the development, Akin Sowore said the defence is not happy about the development since the judge failed to vary other conditions such as restricting Omoyele Sowore to Abuja and restricting Olawale Bakare to Ekiti State, insisting the condition remains very stringent.

He said that relunctance of government to obey court orders has made it difficult for Nigerians to come out and surety Sowore.