By Oluwatobi Omotosho
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, be returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling on his application seeking the restoration of his bail.
The judge 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 adjourned the matter on Wednesday after counsel for both parties adopted their respective processes.
Justice Umar had on June 16 revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court for his trial on charges bordering on alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court had earlier ordered his remand on Monday pending the determination of his application for a stay of execution of the order revoking his bail.
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 on notice dated June 17 and filed on June 19.
The application sought several reliefs, including an order setting aside the revocation of Sowore’s bail, vacating the bench warrant issued against him and restoring the earlier bail conditions.
The defence relied on affidavits and written submissions filed before the court, urging Justice Umar to grant the application in the interest of justice.
In response, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), said the Federal Government had filed a counter-affidavit and written address opposing the application.
Kehinde urged the court to reject the request, arguing that the defendant had not presented sufficient facts to warrant the exercise of the court’s discretion in his favour.
After hearing both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.
Following the adjournment, the defence made an oral application seeking Sowore’s temporary release to his legal team pending the ruling, assuring the court that he would be produced on the adjourned date.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that such an application should be formally filed and responded to before consideration.
The defence further told the court that Sowore’s health condition had deteriorated and urged the judge to grant the request.
However, Justice Umar declined the application, stating that granting it would defeat the purpose of the adjournment while the court considered the submissions before it.
The judge subsequently ordered that Sowore remain in custody and be produced in court on June 30 for the ruling on his application.
