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Cyberstalking: Court decides Sowore’s bail today

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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned to Thursday for its ruling on the bail application filed by a former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, who is facing 17 counts of cybercrime charges.

Until the court rules on the bail application, Sowore will remain in police custody.

Justice Musa Liman decided after hearing arguments from Sowore’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, and the prosecution counsel for the Nigerian Police Force, Udey Jonathan.

Sowore had pleaded not guilty to all 17 counts when it was read to him earlier in the day.

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In the charge, the activist was accused of using his verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ to post a tweet against the Inspector General of Police, calling him “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.”

The police alleged that the statement was false and intended to incite a breakdown of law and order.

Justice Liman, who had initially stood down the matter in the morning, scheduled the bail application ruling for 3 pm.

At the resumed hearing, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar, prayed to the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal terms.

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“We have a motion on notice filed today, January 29, 2025,” Abubakar stated.

“I ask you, my noble lord, to release the applicant on bail in the most liberal terms possible, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.

“The applicant has also filed a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Sunday Agabi, and we rely on the arguments within. We urge your lordship to grant our application,” he added.

Abubakar further argued that the court had a duty to grant bail at its discretion, regardless of the strength of the opposing arguments of the complainant.

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The prosecution counsel, Udey Jonathan, opposed the application, urging the court to deny Sowore bail.

“My lord, a counter-affidavit deposed by one Friday Ameh, a police intelligence officer, has been filed against the bail application,” Udey said.

“We seek reliance on all paragraphs of our counter-affidavit and have filed a written address in support, dated January 29, 2025.

“We adopt the written address as our oral submission against the bail application and urge the honourable court to dismiss it,” he added.

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The prosecution counsel further stated that “Bail cannot be handed out like candies; it should not be granted in vacuo. While bail is at the court’s discretion, it is not a state of grace.

“If the court decides to grant bail, it should impose stringent terms to ensure the defendant’s appearance for trial, including the submission of his international passport.”

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Liman adjourned the matter to 1 pm on Thursday for the ruling.

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Just in: Lagos LG chairman slumps during APC meeting

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The Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State, Kolade Alabi, on Wednesday, suddenly slumped at the All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s Secretariat in Ikeja, the state capital.

According to The PUNCH, Alabi, who is the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, was addressing party members when the sad incident occured.

Fortunately, he was immediately revived and rushed away to the hospital in an ambulance for further treatment.

Details shortly…

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Multiple video evidence against Nnamdi Kanu

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, admitted a video recording allegedly showing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu issuing inflammatory directives which the prosecution claims incited acts of terrorism across the South – East region of the country.

The Wednesday proceedings resumed with the continuation of the testimony of the second Prosecution witness, an operative of Department of State Services (DSS) codenamed PWBBB.

In the video played in open court, Kanu was seen addressing his followers in what he called, “the blessed land of Biafra”, wherein he announced the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), urging followers to defend their land against what he referred to as “Fulani domination.”

He warned political leaders in the region against compromises and issued a directive forbidding the presence of fulani herdsmen, saying, “No Fulani parading as herdsman shall be allowed in our land. If you are an agent of the Fulani, turn your way this evening.”

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The device was admitted as evidence alongside a certificate of compliance, despite objections from the defence.

They were marked as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.

The court also admitted a letter dated June 17, 2021, authored by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, which accused Kanu of terrorism, murder, and incitement to violence.

The letter, addressed to the DSS, was tendered without objection and marked as Exhibit PWF.

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Reading from the document, the witness, who was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts were followed by coordinated attacks on police stations and correctional facilities, resulting in loss of lives and property.

He quoted the petition as saying Kanu had instructed that security operatives be “brought down” and their weapons seized.

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Just in: Security and Exchange Commission declares PWAN as PONZI scheme, cautions Nigerians

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alerted the public on the activities of Property World Africa Network (PWAN), which holds itself out as a real estate investment company and solicits funds from the public for investment purposes through PWAN MAX.

In a statement on Tuesday, the SEC said PWAN/PWAN MAX are not registered either to solicit investments from the public or operate in any other capacity within the Nigerian capital market.

The SEC said investigations revealed that PWAN’s operations exhibit the typical indicators of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme, including the promise of unusually high returns and failure to honour withdrawal requests from subscribers.

“Accordingly, the public is strongly advised to be wary about investing with PWAN/PWAN MAX, as any person who places such investment with these entities, does so at his/her own risk.

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“The commission similarly reminds potential investors of the need to verify the registration status of investment platforms via the commission’s dedicated portal: www.sec.gov.ng/cmos before transacting with them,” the SEC said.

(The Guardian)

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