By Opeyemi Adelakun
A fresh twist has emerged in the legal battle involving activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Centre following the dismissal of his application seeking the recusal of the trial judge.
The ruling delivered on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar marked another dramatic chapter in the high-profile case, which has been dogged by allegations of judicial bias, courtroom disagreements and disputes over legal representation.
Sowore, who is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over remarks he made about President Bola Tinubu, was taken into custody after the court declined his request for the judge to step aside from the proceedings.
The activist had argued that the trial could no longer inspire confidence following what he described as a series of developments that raised concerns about impartiality.
Monday’s proceedings took an unusual turn as Sowore represented himself in court after members of his legal team reportedly withdrew from the matter.
Explaining the development, Sowore said his lawyers could no longer continue with the case because of what they considered persistent hostility during proceedings.
In a statement issued shortly after the hearing, he said he personally moved a fresh application asking Justice Umar to withdraw from the case.
“Soon after today’s court hearing at the Federal High Court, where I represented myself because my lawyers had decided they could no longer appear before Justice M.G. Umar due to what they described as persistent maltreatment, I personally moved a motion asking the judge, once again, to recuse himself from the case,” he stated.
The activist also disclosed that an earlier effort to secure the transfer of the case from the court had failed.
According to him, members of his legal team became uncomfortable with continuing their appearance in the matter, leaving him with no option but to conduct his own defence.
Despite the arguments, the court dismissed the application and proceeded with the case, ordering that Sowore remain in custody pending the next hearing.
The remand order comes days after the court revoked his bail over his absence during proceedings, a decision that has continued to generate controversy among his supporters.
Outside the court premises, dozens of supporters staged a protest, demanding his immediate release and condemning the decision to return him to custody.
The demonstrators accused the authorities of attempting to silence dissenting voices, while chanting solidarity songs and calling for what they described as a fair and transparent trial.
With the court refusing to back down and Sowore insisting on challenging the process, the case is now set for another crucial hearing on Wednesday, as the legal confrontation moves into a more intense phase.
Leave a Reply