A Magistrate Court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, has granted bail to human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and 12 others in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
The presiding judge, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id, ruled on the bail application following the arrest of Sowore and other protesters. According to Mediaplusng.com, the court also granted bail to Aloy Ejimakor, one of the disengaged lawyers of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, and 11 others arrested in connection with a recent protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
Sowore, who was picked up by police on Thursday shortly after leaving the Federal High Court in Abuja, was charged alongside the others for allegedly inciting public disturbance. The court earlier remanded Ejimakor and the 11 others pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Other defendants granted bail include Emmanuel Kanu, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the 13 defendants were arrested on Monday at different locations in Abuja during the protest.
As part of the bail conditions, the magistrate ordered that each defendant must present a verified National Identification Number (NIN), three-year tax clearance certificates, and submit their international passports.
The case has continued to attract public attention, with rights advocates urging the authorities to respect the constitutional right to peaceful protest while maintaining public order.
