‘Tinubu sent me to prison’ — Sowore alleges impossible bail conditions for suspects
Sowore Claims Presidential Role in Imprisonment, Highlights Inmate Conditions
Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has accused President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating his imprisonment, while also raising alarms about the conditions faced by hundreds of inmates awaiting trial at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
In a statement posted on his official social media account on July 18, 2026, Sowore reflected on his experiences in custody and criticized the stringent bail conditions that keep many detainees incarcerated despite court orders that grant them release.
Sowore recounted meeting Haruna Garba Gololo, who he claims was imprisoned due to a case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He stated that although Gololo had been granted bail nearly three weeks ago, he remained in custody because he was unable to fulfill the court’s bail requirements.
“I met Haruna Garba Gololo, who was sent there by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He had been granted bail for nearly three weeks but was still unable to meet the bail conditions,” Sowore said.
Additionally, Sowore mentioned the case of David Nwokorie, who he alleged was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force following a dispute involving Genevieve Opara, the daughter of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Hilary Opara. Sowore asserted that Nwokorie had spent close to four months in jail before Justice Rita Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court granted him bail, subject to the provision of sureties who are a Level 16 civil servant and a serving Nigerian Army colonel—conditions he described as “almost impossible.”
The activist also alleged that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, prosecuted Emorioloye Owolemi for alleged cyberstalking, claiming Owolemi spent several months in detention before being released.
Reflecting on his own time in custody, Sowore reiterated his belief that President Tinubu was responsible for his imprisonment. “I was sent to prison by Tinubu,” he stated.
Sowore reported that out of 1,115 inmates currently held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, approximately 817 are awaiting trial, with 47 reportedly diagnosed with tuberculosis.
As of this report, there had been no response from the Presidency, Senate President Akpabio, the Nigeria Police Force, or the Minister of Interior regarding the allegations made by Sowore.
