Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, was released on bail of 10 million naira and a surety of the same amount. Channels TV reported that the surety must be a responsible person who owns a property of equivalent value and must provide court officials with original ownership documents and passport photographs.

Judging the bail application, Justice Musa Liman ordered Sowore to surrender his passport to the court. He was given 24 hours to choose between complying with the bail conditions or being remanded in police custody.

The decision came after the court postponed a decision on Sowore’s bail application until Thursday (today) following arguments by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, and prosecution counsel, Uday Jonathan. Sowore, who is facing 17 cybercrime charges from the Nigerian Police, claims his innocence.

The charges arose from a tweet in which he called the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, an “illegal Inspector General of Police”. The police claim the statement was false and intended to disturb public order.

Sowore’s lawyers have asked the court to grant him bail. The Public Prosecuting Office has opposed, calling for strict conditions to ensure his appearance in court.