Court Adjourns Sowore’s Bail Challenge, Fixes June 30

By Opeyemi Adelakun

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30 to rule on an application by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail and the withdrawal of a bench warrant earlier issued against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter on Wednesday after lawyers representing both parties adopted their processes and presented arguments before the court.

Sowore is facing prosecution by the Federal Government over allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation linked to social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The court had on June 16 revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for trial. Following his arrest, he was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the decision.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s legal team urged the court to set aside the order revoking his bail, vacate the arrest warrant and restore the conditions of his earlier release.

Lead counsel for the defence argued that the application was backed by affidavits and constitutional provisions protecting the defendant’s rights, urging the court to grant the reliefs sought in the interest of justice.

However, counsel to the Federal Government opposed the request, maintaining that the applicant had failed to place sufficient facts before the court to justify a reversal of its earlier decision.

After listening to both sides, Justice Umar reserved ruling until June 30.

Shortly after the adjournment, the defence made an oral application seeking Sowore’s release to his lawyers pending the court’s decision. The prosecution objected, insisting that such a request should be formally filed and served.

The judge declined the application, stating that granting the request would undermine the purpose of reserving the matter for ruling. He subsequently ordered that Sowore remain in custody until the court delivers its decision.