A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following the revocation of his bail and the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
The order was made by Mohammed Umar, who had earlier revoked Sowore’s bail after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, arrived at the court on Monday carrying a packed bag, indicating he anticipated the possibility of being detained.
Speaking with journalists at the court premises before proceedings commenced, Sowore said he expected the court to order his remand.
The activist and politician arrived alongside supporters and members of his movement, some of whom carried placards in solidarity with him.
Justice Umar had, on June 16, granted an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, seeking the revocation of Sowore’s bail. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest and produce him before the court.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against Bola Tinubu. The charge stems from social media posts on X and Facebook in which he allegedly referred to the president as “a criminal.”
The case is part of ongoing legal proceedings involving statements made by Sowore on social media platforms, with prosecutors arguing that the remarks were defamatory and violated applicable laws.
The matter was adjourned for the continuation of trial proceedings while Sowore remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
