Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate, has been embroiled in a heated battle with the Federal High Court in Abuja over the release of his international passport.
Sowore, who is currently on bail facing a 16-count amended charge of cybercrime, urged the court to release his passport to enable him to travel to the United States to visit his family.
The court, however, has been hesitant to grant Sowore’s request, citing concerns over the authenticity of his travel documents. Justice Musa Liman, the presiding judge, questioned why Sowore’s affidavits failed to mention the names of his wife and children, which he deemed necessary to convince the court.
Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, argued that the application lacked sufficient evidence, citing a text message from Sowore’s doctor as informal and inadequate. However, Sowore eventually convinced the court that the ticket was indeed for a trip to the U.S.
The judge ruled that Sowore must provide a comprehensive medical history and a formal letter from his U.S. doctor to support his request. Sowore’s lawyer argued that a medical report was unnecessary since Sowore was not ill and was not seeking treatment.
Sowore has faced similar politically motivated charges in the past. In 2019, he was arrested and charged with treasonable felony, but the charges were later dropped. Sowore’s lawyer reminded the court of this history, arguing that Sowore had a legal right to visit his wife and children.
The case has raised questions about the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Nigeria. Sowore’s frustration with the court’s decision was evident as he spoke from the witness box, stating that he was not afraid of being jailed by the judge.
The court’s attempt to silence Sowore was seen as an attempt to gag him and his lawyers from mounting a strong defence. The judge’s insistence on clear and credible documentation has been seen as a test of justice, with many wondering if the court is truly independent.
The court adjourned the matter to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, for a ruling. The verdict will be closely watched, with many hoping that justice will prevail. As Sowore waits anxiously for the court’s decision, one thing is clear: this is a test of justice, not just for Sowore, but for the entire Nigerian judiciary.
In a related development, it was reported that the Federal High Court had released Sowore’s expired passport, which was seized as part of his bail condition in 2019. This development has raised hopes that the court may rule in Sowore’s favour, allowing him to travel to the U.S. to visit his family.
