Sowore Can’t Meet Bail Terms; Lawyer Laments

The Legal team representing Omoyele Sowore, has cried out over the bail conditions set for the release of the activist.

Effiong, in an interview with The Cable said the conditions set by the court for Sowore to be released is stringent and impossible to fulfil.

On Friday October 4th,a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted sowore a 100million naira bail.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who gave the bail conditions said the publisher would produce two sureties – in like sum – who are owners of landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

Sowore is also expected to deposit his travel passport to the court till the end of his trial and is not allowed to travel out of the Federal Capital Territory throughout his trial period.

Effiong, while reacting to these bail conditions, said nobody is willing to be a surety for that amount.

“That amount of money is not available, it is not realistic under the current economic situation,” he said.
He said the legal team is going back to the trial court next week to seek a variation of the bail conditions.

He said: “We understand bail is at the discretion of the court but the Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows us to apply for a variation where the conditions are such that the defendants cannot meet.”