Sowore Opens Defence in Suit Alleging Defamation of Tinubu

Nigerian presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore on Monday opened his defense in a trial alleging defamation of President Bola Tinubu. Sowore, who is also the publisher of Saharareporters, faces the possibility of being remanded in custody if he fails to meet the bail conditions set by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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The defendant was released to lawyer to go and bring his passport to be deposited with the court. That has not been communicated to us, and other conditions of the bail have not been met. The law is trite, no sentiment.

Sowore is accused of calling President Tinubu a criminal on social media platforms. After initially being granted bail on self-recognizance, his bail was revoked for allegedly jumping bail. Last week, the court admitted him to bail under new conditions: a N200 million bond with two sureties and the deposit of his international passport. One surety must be a traditional ruler from his community.

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Our application is that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center until the bai conditions are met

The prosecution argued that Sowore had not fulfilled the bail conditions and requested his remand. Sowore's lawyer, Olumide Fusika, countered that bail is not punitive and assured the court that the passport would be deposited by the end of the day. He explained a slight delay in recovering the passport from the U.S. embassy in Lagos due to a public holiday.

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bail is not for punishment but for the accused to attend trial and that it is incorrect to say the conditions are yet to be met.

Justice Mohammed Umar released Sowore to his lawyer to facilitate the bail perfection process. The case highlights the ongoing legal challenges faced by Sowore, a prominent activist and politician in Nigeria.

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the passport will be deposited in court before the close of work on Monday, July 13.