Sowore Says Bail for #EndBadGovernment Protesters is ‘Ridiculous’

Omoyele Sowore is the Africa Action Congress Presidential candidate. He recently spoke out against the bail terms for #EndBadGovernment protesters. Sowore said the bail terms are too high and unfair. [Source needed]

Sowore shared a tweet on X (formerly Twitter). He said: “As expected, the ridiculous ‘Treason’ case against #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria activists is failing. This case was at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Activists were granted bail. The bail bond is N10 million each. They must also find people with property to guarantee their release.”

He also said, “It is a shame that citizens face false charges. They are held for a long time because of these charges. Sometimes, lives are ruined. No one is held responsible for these unfair actions.”

Sowore also criticized how Nigeria handles these cases. He said the goal is often to jail people during the trial. This happens even without strong proof. He wants people to be held responsible. He stated, “We must make Nigeria pay for these unfair prosecutions. We must punish judges, prosecutors, and arresting officers who act unethically. This includes the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and the attorney general. They must be held responsible as individuals. We move #FearlessINOctober”

Sowore thanked the lawyers who are helping the activists. These lawyers include @adeyanjudeji @AbubakarMarshal @AK_MUSA1 @InibeheEffiong and others. They are fighting against oppression in Nigerian courts #RevolutionNow.

Bail Terms are Criticized

The strict bail terms for the #EndBadGovernance protesters have been widely criticized. Many people think they are too harsh. Sowore and others cited a 2021 news article. They complained about the strict bail terms and accused police of abuse (https://guardian.ng/news/sowore-others-lament-stringent-bail-conditions-accuse-police-of-rights-abuse/). Critics say that requiring a N10 million bail bond and property owners as guarantors keeps activists from being free while waiting for trial. This makes people worry about fairness in the courts. It may also stop people from speaking out and getting involved in their communities. These bail terms may affect more than just these cases. They could scare people from expressing themselves and protesting.

Sowore’s View and the #EndBadGovernance Movement

Sowore’s view shows worry about using the law to stop political opposition. The #EndBadGovernance movement faces challenges from those who want things to stay the same. This is like other movements that want social and political change. High bail amounts and strict terms can be seen as a way to hurt activists financially. It can also limit their ability to organize support. This case shows the conflict between the right to protest and the government’s desire to keep order. It raises questions about freedom of speech and national security. Police arrested protesters on Nigeria’s Independence Day in a related event (https://allafrica.com/stories/202010020067.html). [Source needed]

It is important to know that Sowore has faced legal issues and different bail terms. Premium Times reported this (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/354444-sowore-court-varies-bail-conditions-of-revolutionnow-convener.html).

How it Affects Freedom of Speech

The bail terms for #EndBadGovernment protesters may scare people from speaking out and protesting. [Source needed] The N10 million bail and property owner requirement can be a big financial burden. This can make it hard for activists to keep working.