- The court fixed June 30 to rule on Sowore’s bail application
- Sowore will remain in custody until the ruling
- The DSS opposed his request for temporary release
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 30, 2026, to deliver its ruling on an application filed by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore seeking the restoration of his bail and the withdrawal of the bench warrant issued for his arrest.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Wednesday after lawyers representing both the defence and the prosecution adopted their written submissions before the court.
Sowore’s bail was revoked on June 16 after he failed to appear for the continuation of his trial over allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation. The court also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting the former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate over allegations that he defamed President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a “criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts. Sowore has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
Earlier this week, the court ordered that Sowore be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, defence counsel R.O. Adakole, alongside C.S. Etonyeaku, representing senior advocate Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, informed the court that the application was supported by affidavits and written arguments seeking to overturn the earlier orders.
Among the requests before the court are the restoration of Sowore’s bail, the cancellation of the bench warrant issued against him, and the reinstatement of his previous bail conditions.
The defence argued that the application was supported by sufficient evidence and urged the court to grant the reliefs in the interest of justice while discountenancing the prosecution’s objections.
Counsel for the Federal Government, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that Sowore had failed to place credible facts before the court to justify the exercise of its discretion in his favour. He urged the court to dismiss the application.
Following the adoption of all processes, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.
After the adjournment, the defence made an oral application requesting that Sowore be released into the custody of his legal team pending the court’s decision, assuring the court that he would be produced on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that such an application should have been formally filed to allow a proper response. The defence maintained that the request was within the court’s discretion and added that Sowore’s health had deteriorated while in custody.
Justice Umar, however, declined the request, stating that granting temporary release before delivering his ruling would undermine the purpose of the adjournment. He subsequently ordered that Sowore remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision on June 30.
