On Monday, the Federal High Court situated in Abuja mandated that Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, be held at Kuje prison. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar issued this directive, stating that Sowore must remain in custody until the court hears and decides on his motion to stay a previous order that revoked his bail and authorized a bench warrant.
Furthermore, Justice Umar rejected a request from Sowore that the judge step down from the trial due to claims of prejudice. Following these developments, the court postponed the proceedings until June 24 to address the motion for a stay, which was submitted by the defendant’s legal representative, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN.
Sowore appeared in court accompanied by supporters carrying protest signs. The current situation stems from June 16, when Justice Umar cancelled Sowore’s bail after he did not attend his scheduled court hearing. This decision followed a request from the Department of State Services lawyer, Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, which also led to the issuance of an arrest warrant. The legal dispute involves allegations by the DSS that Sowore defamed President Bola Tinubu by labeling him a criminal on social media platforms including X and Facebook.