Justice Lima of the Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned ruling on the bail application filed by Omoyele Sowore till 3pm today.

Recall that Sowore was arraigned for his comments he made on social media, referring to Egbetokun as an illegal IG. 

Correspondent Kunle Ojo reports that 17 count charge was preferred against him by the Police but were later reduced to 16 by the Prosecutor, M. I Jonathan due to typographical errors.

When charged were read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty to all the count charge. This informed the presentation of an abridged oral and written bail application by Counsel to Sowore, Marshall Abubakar. 

The Prosecution Counsel, M U Jonathan cited precedent of where oral applications had been made.

Justice Lima, while reacting to the abridged bail application said it was strange to him but promise that the court will consider it and make its position known.

He therefore stand down the matter till 3pm for ruling.

The activist is facing 16 Count charge related to Cybercrime under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the charges, filed in a suit marked FCH/ABJ/23/25, Egbetokun accused Sowore of intentionally and knowingly sending messages through his verified Twitter account, where he referred to the IG as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.”

The police alleged that these publications were false and aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order, adding that Sowore’s messages were aimed at causing unrest and undermining the authority of the police.

His legal team, led by Marshall Abubakar, confirmed that the charges will be heard in court.

Deji Adeyanju, a political activist, however, stated that the charges represent an abuse of the legal process, promising a strong response in court.