The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), in Kuje Prison, pending the determination of his application challenging the revocation of his bail and the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order in a brief ruling, directing that Sowore be kept in custody until the hearing of his motion for stay of execution of the court’s earlier order revoking his bail. The matter has been adjourned until June 24 for hearing of the application.
The court also dismissed an application filed by Sowore seeking the recusal of the trial judge on grounds of alleged bias. Justice Umar held that there were insufficient grounds to warrant his withdrawal from the case.
Sowore was brought to court in the company of supporters, some of whom carried placards expressing solidarity with him as proceedings continued under tight security.
His legal team, led by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had filed the motion for stay, seeking to suspend the earlier order that led to his remand and the bench warrant issued against him.
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The development follows the court’s decision on June 16 to revoke Sowore’s bail after he allegedly failed to appear for his ongoing trial.
At that sitting, the court also granted an oral application made by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, resulting in the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false statements against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the prosecution, Sowore referred to President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts published on his verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to Sowore’s profile as a political activist and former presidential candidate, as well as broader concerns around freedom of expression and the limits of political speech under Nigerian law.
With the latest ruling, Sowore remains in custody at Kuje Prison until the court hears and determines his pending application on June 24, a decision that is expected to shape the next phase of the high-profile legal battle.
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