The Federal High Court in Abuja turned into a stage of tension and defiance on Monday as Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate and activist, made an impassioned plea for the release of his international passport; a move crucial for him to reunite with his family in the United States and undergo a routine medical check-up.
Sowore, who remains on bail while facing a 16-count charge of cybercrime, stood his ground in the face of skepticism from Justice Musa Liman and fierce opposition from the prosecution. The charges, brought by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accuse Sowore of using his X (formerly Twitter) handle to allegedly refer to the IGP with names like “Illegal IGP.”
However, Sowore described these accusations as politically motivated and baseless.
At the heart of Monday’s hearing was a simple request: the temporary release of Sowore’s passport. His lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, explained that Sowore needed to travel to the U.S. to see his wife and children and attend a routine medical check-up, promising his return for trial in April.
But what should have been a straightforward application quickly turned contentious. Justice Liman expressed doubts about the authenticity of Sowore’s travel documents, questioning why the names of his wife and children were absent from his affidavit. He also raised concerns about the format of Sowore’s flight booking and the apparent lack of an airline’s name on the ticket.
“The reasons provided are neither tenable nor convincing,” Justice Liman stated, his skepticism evident.
Sowore’s legal team clarified that the ticket was indeed issued by United Airlines and followed standard e-ticketing procedures. Still, the court remained unconvinced.
As frustrations mounted, the police counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, threw more fuel in the fire, claiming that an inquiry at the Abuja airport suggested Sowore’s ticket was for a trip to Uganda, not the United States. The assertion was met with disbelief and outrage from Sowore, who called the claim absurd.
“Lagos has an airport code (LOS), and Washington Dulles Airport — my point of first arrival — has an airport code (IAD). How could you then believe the police lawyer that this ticket before you is for Uganda?” Sowore asked the court, his voice rising. “Do you think I can lie to you?”
Despite the judge’s attempts to silence him, Sowore stood firm. “For your information, I will not run away from my country,” he declared, his defiance echoing through the courtroom.
The battle over paperwork soon evolved into a broader fight for rights and justice. Sowore’s lawyer argued that the activist’s need to visit his family was a fundamental one and noted that Sowore had faced similarly politicized charges in the past without ever attempting to flee Nigeria.
Still, the court demanded more documentation, a comprehensive medical history and a formal letter from Sowore’s doctor in the U.S., to support the passport request.
As the session drew to a close, the frustration in the room was palpable. “If I cannot get justice from the court, then the court might as well throw me into jail,” Sowore said, his voice steady but resolute.
With both sides refusing to back down, Justice Liman adjourned the case to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, for a ruling that could determine whether Sowore will finally get the chance to reunite with his family or remain grounded in the storm of his ongoing legal battle.
Source: Ripples
