Human rights activist, publisher and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore will remain in custody until June 30 after the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned ruling on his application seeking to overturn the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the new date after hearing arguments from both Sowore’s legal team and lawyers representing the Department of State Services (DSS). The court is expected to decide whether to set aside the earlier order that revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant against him.
Sowore’s lawyer, Raphael Adakole, urged the court to restore the status quo that existed before June 16, arguing that the bail revocation should be reversed. The defence relied on constitutional provisions and sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, insisting that the court should exercise its discretion in the interest of justice. The application was supported by a 25 paragraph affidavit and additional filings submitted by the defence team. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
However, the DSS strongly opposed the request. Lead prosecutor Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, argued that Sowore had failed to present sufficient and truthful facts that would justify the court setting aside its earlier decision. The prosecution relied on its own 25 paragraph counter affidavit and written arguments urging the judge to dismiss the application.
Following the adjournment, Sowore’s counsel made an oral request asking that he be temporarily released into his custody pending the ruling. The prosecution immediately objected, maintaining that such a request could not be made orally. Justice Umar declined the request, noting that granting temporary release would effectively amount to deciding the matter before delivering his official ruling.
The latest development stems from an earlier court order issued on June 16 after Sowore failed to appear for his trial. The court subsequently revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On Monday, he was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging that decision.
Sowore is currently facing prosecution by the DSS over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through posts published on his social media accounts. The proceedings have continued to attract nationwide attention, with supporters and critics closely monitoring what many believe could become another significant test of the relationship between free speech, political activism and state authority in Nigeria.
