Sowore Slams Court’s Bail Condition Requiring Passport Surrender, Calls It an Attack on His Rights

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has sharply criticized the court’s decision to seize his passport as part of his bail conditions, describing it as an infringement on his fundamental rights.

In a statement made at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, Sowore condemned the move, emphasizing that it was an outright violation of his personal liberty, dignity, and professional capacity.

“I am a global citizen, and my passport is not the property of the police or judiciary. This is an abuse of our rights as citizens,” he declared, underscoring the significance of unrestricted international travel.

Sowore, who has family based in the United States and works internationally, explained that the seizure of his passport not only limits his own mobility but also has a detrimental impact on his loved ones.

“By restricting me to Nigeria, you are not just targeting me. You are attacking my integrity, my dignity, my family, and my very life,” he said, pointing out the broader consequences of such a restriction on his personal and professional life.

The activist also highlighted the government’s ongoing attempts to hinder his ability to earn a living, referencing the legal battles he has faced since 2019.

“They are trying to force me into criminality. I refuse to become a criminal because they have deprived me of my right to work for five years, from 2019 to 2025, after they dropped the baseless treason charge,” he added, referencing the ongoing legal struggles that have severely impacted his career.

Sowore also criticized the repeated nature of his prosecution.

“Interestingly, the same person who read my charges to me in 2019 did so again yesterday. It’s the same court registry, same individual. I couldn’t help but wonder if he should have informed the judge about who I am,” he remarked, highlighting the continuity in what he perceives as a politically motivated legal process.

Despite these hurdles, Sowore reiterated his belief in the right to freedom of movement, stressing that this basic freedom should never be taken away. “A passport is simply a tool for travel. No one should be denied this right. But as I’ve said before, I am a digital citizen—passport or not, I move forward. People continue to speak out for us,” he affirmed.

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