BREAKING NEWS: Sowore Alleges Harsh Bail Conditions, Claims Tinubu Was Responsible for His Imprisonment

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of being responsible for his imprisonment and raised concerns about what he described as stringent bail conditions that continue to keep many detainees behind bars despite court orders granting them bail.

Sowore made the allegations in a statement shared on his official social media page on July 18, 2026, where he reflected on his experience at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja and highlighted challenges faced by numerous inmates awaiting trial.

According to the activist, one of the inmates he encountered at the correctional facility was Haruna Garba Gololo, whom he claimed was remanded in connection with a case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Sowore alleged that Gololo remained in custody for nearly three weeks after being granted bail because he was unable to satisfy the conditions imposed by the court.

Sowore stated that despite securing bail, Gololo could not regain his freedom due to what he described as difficult bail requirements.

The activist also cited the case of David Nwokorie, who he alleged was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force following a dispute involving Genevieve Opara, daughter of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Hilary Opara.

According to Sowore, Justice Rita Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court granted Nwokorie bail after he had spent nearly four months in detention. However, he claimed the court required the defendant to provide a Level 16 civil servant and a serving Nigerian Army colonel as sureties, conditions he described as extremely difficult to fulfill.

Sowore further alleged that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, prosecuted Emorioloye Owolemi over an alleged cyberstalking case. He claimed Owolemi also spent several months in detention before eventually securing his release.

Reflecting on his own experience, Sowore maintained that President Tinubu was responsible for his incarceration, declaring, “I was sent to prison by Tinubu.”

The activist also shared statistics regarding the Kuje Correctional Centre, alleging that out of 1,115 inmates currently held at the facility, approximately 817 are awaiting trial. He further claimed that 47 inmates have been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Minister of Interior had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by Sowore.

The claims remain allegations by the activist and have not been independently verified.