Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre after a Federal High Court in Abuja declined his request for temporary release and fixed June 30 to rule on his application seeking the restoration of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar adjourned the matter on Wednesday after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution on Sowore’s motion challenging the revocation of his bail and the bench warrant earlier issued for his arrest.
The activist is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation linked to social media posts in which he reportedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case took a dramatic turn on June 16 when the court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant following his failure to appear for trial.
At the resumed hearing, Sowore’s legal team, led by R.O. Adakole and C.S. Etonyeaku, holding brief for Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to set aside the order revoking his bail, vacate the bench warrant and restore the earlier bail conditions.
The defence argued that the application was supported by affidavits and legal submissions seeking to return the parties to the position they occupied before the June 16 ruling.
However, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that the defendant had not presented sufficient facts to justify the court’s exercise of discretion in his favour.
According to the prosecution, the Federal Government’s counter-affidavit raised critical issues that should prevent the court from granting the reliefs sought by the defendant.
After listening to both sides, Justice Umar reserved ruling on the application until June 30, 2026.
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 next adjourned date.
The prosecution strongly opposed the request, arguing that such an application should have been formally filed to allow for an appropriate response.
The defence also informed the court that Sowore’s health condition had become a concern and urged the judge to exercise his discretion in favour of the defendant.
Justice Umar, however, declined the request, noting that granting temporary release at that stage would undermine the purpose of adjourning the matter for a considered ruling.
The court subsequently ordered that Sowore be returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre and produced in court on June 30 when a decision on his bid to regain freedom will be delivered.
The ruling is expected to determine whether the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) will have his bail restored as he continues to battle the cybercrime and defamation charges before the court.
