‘They Have Always Been After My Passport’ — Sowore Breaks Silence After Bail

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has reacted after the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of ₦200 million over charges arising from comments he allegedly made about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Despite being admitted to bail, Sowore was returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions imposed by the court.

Presiding over the case, Justice Mohammed Umar granted the activist bail under stringent terms, requiring him to produce two sureties. One of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from his home community, while the other must own landed property within Abuja.

The court also ordered Sowore to surrender his international passport as part of the conditions for his release.

Sowore has remained in custody since June 22, 2026, following allegations that he referred to President Tinubu as a criminal.

Speaking to journalists after the court proceedings, the activist maintained his defiant stance, declaring that he would not be intimidated by the legal process.

“There is no force on earth that can stop this revolution,” Sowore said after leaving the courtroom.

Commenting on the bail conditions, particularly the requirement to deposit his passport, he suggested that the authorities had long been interested in restricting his international travel.

“We warned them, but they didn’t listen. I was granted ₦200 million bail. They have always been after my passport. When we get to that bridge, we will cross it,” he stated.

Sowore is expected to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until all the conditions attached to his bail are met and verified by the court.

The case has continued to attract public attention, with supporters and observers closely monitoring the legal proceedings and their implications for freedom of expression and political dissent in Nigeria.