Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has criticized the bail condition imposed on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, describing it as unlawful. Sowore, who was invited by the Nigeria Police and detained on Monday, was initially asked to present a level 16 civil servant and surrender his international passport to secure his release—a condition he firmly rejected.
In a letter to the Nigeria Police, Falana referenced a 2020 Court of Appeal ruling that declared such conditions illegal. He cited Justice Adah’s decision in Dasuki v. Director-General, SSS, emphasizing that requiring civil servants as sureties violates both legal precedent and public service rules. Falana urged the police to abandon the practice, which he deemed inconsistent with Nigeria’s laws and international norms.
Although the police later reduced the condition to require only a level 16 civil servant as surety, Falana maintained that the demand remains unlawful. Sowore, in the meantime, has opted to remain in custody, standing firm against the controversial bail requirement.