A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has granted former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, N10 million bail after pleading not guilty to alleged defamation charges leveled against him by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Aside from that, it ruled that the Sowore must produce a surety in like sum and that the applicant must swear to an affidavit of means and must be landed property owner in Abuja.
The presiding judge, Justice Musa Liman, during the proceedings on Thursday, added that the title documents to the property would be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court before acceptance.
Justice Liman ordered the the human rights activist must deposit his international passport while the surety submit his passport to the court registrar.
During the proceeding, Liman gave Sowore a 24-hours ultimatum to meet the bail conditions. However his legal counsel, Abubakar Marshal has applied for extension of the time to enable Sowore fulfil the terms.
The former presidential candidate, is facing a 16-count charge filed by the police for using unprinted words against the inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other officers under the enforcement agency.
Sowore was detained on Monday after honoring an invitation by the police, over his exposé on officers allegedly extorting motorists along Ikeja, Lagos State, but was held after questioning, while demanding he surrender his international passports. However, he declined, noting that he will not compromise his innocence and dignity.
