Court orders remand of Sowore in Kuje prison pending trial for defamation of Tinubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja issued a ruling on Monday that ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), to Kuje prison pending the hearing of his motion to stay the revocation of his bail and the issuance of a bench warrant.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, in a concise judgment, directed that Sowore remain in custody while the court considers his request for a stay. The judge also dismissed Sowore’s earlier application for the recusal of the judge on grounds of alleged bias.

The case was adjourned until June 24 for the hearing of the stay application. The motion was filed by Sowore’s new lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide‑Fusika, SAN.

Sowore appeared at the court accompanied by members of his group, holding placards. On June 16, Justice Umar had revoked Sowore’s bail after the defendant failed to appear for his trial. In a separate ruling, the same judge issued a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest following an oral application by lawyer Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, to the Department of State Services (DSS).

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly defaming President Bola Tinubu by labeling him a “criminal” in a post on his “X” and Facebook accounts.