KEY POINTS

• The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Omoyele Sowore’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre after his bail was revoked in an ongoing criminal case.

• The court also dismissed an application seeking the judge’s recusal and adjourned the matter to June 24, 2026, for further hearing.

• Sowore is being prosecuted by the State Security Service over alleged false statements against President Bola Tinubu, a charge he is contesting through his legal team.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following the revocation of his bail in an ongoing criminal trial.

The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, who ordered that Sowore be kept in custody pending the hearing of a motion seeking to stay the earlier decision that revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

During the proceedings, the court also dismissed an application filed by Sowore’s legal team requesting that the judge withdraw from the case over alleged bias.

Justice Umar ruled against the request and proceeded with the matter, stating that the application lacked sufficient grounds.

Following the ruling, the court adjourned the case until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, for hearing of the motion seeking to suspend the bail revocation order.

The court had earlier, on June 16, revoked Sowore’s bail after he reportedly failed to appear for his trial on one occasion.

Following that development, the court also issued a bench warrant for his arrest upon application by the prosecution counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The case is part of ongoing proceedings initiated by the State Security Service (SSS) against Sowore over alleged false statements made against President Bola Tinubu.

Allegations Against Sowore

The prosecution alleges that Sowore made defamatory remarks describing President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts shared on his social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Authorities argue that the statements constitute false claims and form the basis of the charges against him.

Sowore’s legal team, now led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, has filed a motion seeking to stay the execution of the bail revocation and related orders.

Sowore appeared in court on Monday accompanied by supporters who carried placards during the session.

The court considered arguments from both the prosecution and defence before ordering his remand in custody pending further proceedings.

The case has been adjourned until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when the court will hear arguments on the application seeking to suspend the bail revocation order.

The outcome of that hearing is expected to determine whether Sowore will remain in custody or be granted temporary release pending the continuation of his trial.

The legal proceedings remain ongoing as the court continues to consider motions filed by both parties.