Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to release his international passport so he could travel to the United States to visit his family and undergo a medical check-up.
Sowore is currently on bail and facing a 16-count amended charge of cybercrime filed against him by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The charges stem from alleged statements made on his X handle, where he referred to the IGP with unflattering names. He has pleaded not guilty, dismissing the charges as politically motivated.
Following his arraignment, the court had granted him bail on January 30, 2025, under strict conditions, including a ₦10 million bond and the surrender of his passport.
However, the court allowed him to seek permission whenever he needed to travel.
At the hearing, Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, presented a motion requesting the temporary release of his passport, explaining that his client planned to return in April for his trial.
The judge, Justice Musa Liman, asked Sowore to provide documentation to justify the request.
During the proceedings, the judge questioned why Sowore’s affidavits did not mention the names of his wife and children.
He also expressed doubts about the validity of the flight booking documents, noting that the ticket format seemed unusual.
Additionally, the judge pointed out that the airline’s name was missing from the ticket.
Sowore’s legal team clarified that the ticket was issued by United Airlines and was an official e-ticket.
The police prosecutor, Ibrahim Mohammed, argued against releasing the passport, claiming that an investigation at Abuja airport suggested the ticket was for a trip to Uganda, not the US. He also dismissed a text message from Sowore’s doctor as insufficient evidence.
Sowore insisted that his trip was to the US and challenged the claims made by the prosecution. The judge ruled that he must submit a formal letter from his US doctor and a detailed medical history to support his request.
Sowore’s lawyer objected, stating that his client was not sick and did not require treatment, but only a routine check-up. He also reminded the court that Sowore had previously faced politically charged cases without fleeing the country.
As tensions rose, Sowore attempted to address the court directly, but the judge refused. The activist insisted that he had the right to speak for himself and criticized the proceedings. Despite the judge’s warnings, he continued to argue his case, rejecting the notion that he intended to flee.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge adjourned the case to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, for a ruling.
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