Sowore Claims Tinubu's Hand in His Imprisonment, Decries Tough Bail Conditions

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has made a startling allegation that President Bola Tinubu was instrumental in his imprisonment. In a statement published on his social media page on July 18, 2026, Sowore reflected on his experience in prison and highlighted the plight of numerous inmates awaiting trial at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. He expressed concern over what he termed as stringent bail conditions that have kept many detainees behind bars despite being granted bail by the courts. Sowore shared his encounter with an inmate named Haruna Garba Gololo, who he claimed was sent to prison due to a case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to Sowore, Gololo had been granted bail but remained in custody for nearly three weeks because he was unable to meet the bail conditions set by the court. Sowore also referenced the case of David Nwokorie, who was arrested by the police following a dispute involving Genevieve Opara, daughter of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hilary Opara. Despite being granted bail by Justice Rita Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court after spending close to four months in detention, Nwokorie was required to provide a Level 16 civil servant and a serving Nigerian Army colonel as sureties, which Sowore described as 'almost impossible bail conditions.' Furthermore, Sowore alleged that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, prosecuted Emorioloye Owolemi over alleged cyberstalking, with the defendant spending months in prison before regaining his freedom. Sowore claimed that President Tinubu was responsible for his imprisonment, stating 'I was sent to prison by Tinubu.' He also disclosed that out of the 1,115 inmates currently held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, about 817 are awaiting trial, while 47 have been diagnosed with tuberculosis. The allegations made by Sowore have not been responded to by the Presidency, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Nigeria Police Force, or the Minister of Interior as of the time of filing this report.