By Hosanna Eseose
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the return of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling on his application seeking the restoration of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar fixed June 30, 2026, for ruling on Sowore’s motion challenging the revocation of his bail and the bench warrant issued for his arrest.
The court had earlier, on June 16, revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for trial in a case involving alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts published on his official X and Facebook accounts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, R.O. Adakole, alongside C.S. Etonyeaku, who held the brief of Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), informed the court that the defence had filed a motion seeking, among other reliefs, the setting aside of the June 16 order revoking the defendant’s bail, the withdrawal of the bench warrant, and the restoration of the previous bail conditions.
The defence said the application was supported by affidavits and written submissions filed before the court, including additional processes submitted on June 24.
Urging the court to grant the application, defence counsel argued that the interests of justice favoured the restoration of Sowore’s bail and asked the court to discountenance the prosecution’s opposing affidavit.
In response, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), said the Federal Government had filed a counter-affidavit and written address opposing the application. He argued that the defendant had not presented sufficient facts to warrant the exercise of the court’s discretion in his favour and urged the court to dismiss the application.
After hearing both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.
Following the adjournment, the defence made an oral application requesting that Sowore be released to his legal team pending the ruling, assuring the court that he would be produced on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution opposed the request, describing it as inappropriate and arguing that such an application should be formally filed to allow a proper response.
The defence maintained that the request fell within the court’s discretionary powers and further informed the court that Sowore was reportedly in poor health.
While the prosecution drew attention to the broader implications of the request, it ultimately left the decision to the court.
In his ruling on the oral application, Justice Umar held that granting the request would undermine the purpose of the adjournment, noting that he was yet to fully consider the processes filed by both parties before delivering his decision.
The judge consequently declined the request and ordered that Sowore remain in custody and be produced in court on June 30 for the ruling on his bail application.