AAC Leader Released After Cyberstalking Case Over ‘Tinubu is a Criminal’ Post, Says He Was Held With TB Inmates
Activist and African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has regained freedom after nine days in Kuje Correctional Centre. A Federal High Court in Abuja granted him ₦200 million bail on Tuesday, ending a detention that sparked protests, health concerns, and renewed debate on civic space.
The Bail: ₦200m, Two Sureties, Passport Surrendered
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja granted Sowore bail with two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a traditional ruler from his community in Ese Odo LGA, Ondo State, and the other must own landed property in Abuja. Both must be verified by DSS counsel. The court also ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar pending trial. The case was adjourned to *Monday, July 6 for him to open his defence. Take-It-Back Movement called the conditions “excessive and unreasonable,” saying they “amount to punishment before trial”.
Why He Was Detained: The ‘Criminal’ Post & Missed Hearing
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services, DSS for alleged criminal defamation/cyberstalking over an August 25, 2025 post on X and Facebook where he called President Bola Tinubu a “criminal”.
Trouble started after he failed to appear in court on June 16, 2026. Justice Umar revoked his earlier bail granted on self-recognition, issued a bench warrant, and ordered his remand at Kuje. His absence led to clashes between supporters chanting ‘Free Sowore’ and DSS operatives outside court.
Kuje Prison: Overcrowding, TB Fears, and “Federal Capital of Thieves”
Sowore spent nine days in custody after being remanded on June 16. cReports said he was held in a cell alongside inmates suffering from tuberculosis. Sources claimed one inmate recently died and another was battling spinal TB. The reports came amid other inmate deaths allegedly linked to delayed medical treatment.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has refuted claims of a TB crisis, saying inmates undergo medical screening on admission and isolation where necessary.
Upon release, Sowore highlighted Kuje’s overcrowding: 1,158 inmates including 37 with tuberculosis, called Abuja the ‘federal capital of thieves’, and faulted the justice system as “broken and sold”.
The Case Background: From 5 Counts to 2
The FG amended charges in December 2025, reducing them from five to two counts and delisting X and Meta as defendants. The post came after Tinubu said in Brazil his administration had “ended corruption”. DSS had written to platforms and Sowore to delete it.
Sowore’s lawyers argued the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case, but the court held it .
“Not Silenced”: 2027 and #RevolutionNow
Despite detention, Sowore reaffirmed his 2027 presidential bid and #RevolutionNow push after release. He said: “There’s nothing more painful than seeing innocent people left behind in prison… justice in Nigeria is often broken and sold”.
Rights advocates have condemned the bail revocation and warned against repression.
Bottom Line
Sowore is out on ₦200m bail after nine days in Kuje over cyberstalking charges linked to a social media post. He leaves custody raising alarms about prison health and overcrowding, while insisting his political fight continues.
