Femi Falana, a prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, to revoke the bail conditions imposed on activist Omoyele Sowore and secure his immediate release from police custody.
Falana criticized the requirement for high-ranking civil servants or public officers to act as sureties for individuals facing criminal charges, calling it unlawful and without precedent.
He emphasized that such practicesâwhere civil servants or public officers are expected to guarantee the bail of criminal suspectsâare neither customary in Nigeria nor in any other civilized nation. He referred to a ruling by the Court of Appeal in the case of Dasuki v. Director-General, SSS (2020), where Justice Adah JCA (now JSC) declared these practices illegal.
Falana further argued that the Nigerian Civil and Public Service Rules do not provide any legal justification for such conditions. He also questioned the unrealistic expectation that a Level 16 civil servant could own property worth N100 million, noting that this contradicts the country’s public service rules and undermines the ongoing fight against corruption.
In his statement on Tuesday, Falana urged the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to adhere to legal precedents and respect the rule of law. He stressed that Sowore should be released unconditionally, without further delay.
“Yesterday, Omoyele Sowore was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force for alleged cyberstalking. While being granted bail, the police demanded that he provide a surety who is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Federal Public Service,” Falana explained.
He pointed out that this requirement goes against the Court of Appealâs decision in the Dasuki v. Director-General, SSS case, where it was ruled that involving civil servants or public officers in bail arrangements for criminal suspects was illegal.
Falana continued, âIt is unreasonable to expect a Level 16 officer to own property worth N100 million. Such conditions go against the Public Service Rules and the anti-corruption framework of Nigeria.”
He concluded by calling on Dr. Kayode Egbetokun to annul the illegal bail conditions imposed on Sowore and ensure his prompt release.
Sowore, who had been detained at the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office at the Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction in Abuja, had earlier rejected the bail conditions. According to sources, the police had imposed conditions that included producing a Level 16 civil servant as a surety and surrendering his passport.
Sowore, who had initially honored an invitation by the police regarding an exposé on officers allegedly extorting motorists in Lagos, refused to comply with the unlawful bail conditions.
He later took to his X handle, stating, âThe PoliceNG team assigned to my case informed me that the DIG of FID, Dasuki Galandachi, has reevaluated my bail conditions, which now require the production of a Level 16 civil servant and the surrendering of my international passport. I have declined these terms outright.â
For more updates, join Chronicles Reporters on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VabITrvEAKW7DSkTfP0J