‘Tinubu sent me to prison’ — Sowore alleges impossible bail conditions for suspects

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Tinubu was responsible for his imprisonment, while raising concerns over what he described as the plight of hundreds of inmates awaiting trial at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Sowore made the claims in a statement posted on his official social media page on July 18, 2026, where he reflected on his time in custody and highlighted what he described as harsh bail conditions keeping many detainees behind bars despite court orders granting them bail.

According to the activist, one of the inmates he met at the correctional facility was Haruna Garba Gololo, whom he alleged was remanded over a case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Sowore claimed Gololo had spent several weeks in prison and remained in custody for nearly three weeks after being granted bail because he could not meet the conditions imposed by the court.

“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 stated.

The activist also referenced the case of David Nwokorie, whom he alleged was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force following a dispute involving Genevieve Opara, daughter of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hilary Opara.

According to Sowore, although Justice Rita Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court granted Nwokorie bail after he had spent close to four months in detention, the court required him to provide a Level 16 civil servant and a serving Nigerian Army colonel as sureties, which he described as “almost impossible bail conditions.”

He further alleged that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, prosecuted Emorioloye Owolemi over alleged cyberstalking, claiming the defendant also spent months in prison before regaining his freedom.

Reflecting on his own detention, Sowore alleged that President Tinubu was responsible for sending him to prison.

“I was sent to prison by Tinubu,” he stated.

Sowore also disclosed that out of the 1,115 inmates currently held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, about 817 are awaiting trial, while 47 have reportedly been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

The Presidency, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Nigeria Police Force and the Minister of Interior had not responded to the allegations contained in Sowore’s statement as of the time this report was filed.