A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has revoked the bail granted to human rights activist and African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after he failed to appear before the court for proceedings in his ongoing trial.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar gave the order on Tuesday and directed that a bench warrant be issued for Sowore’s arrest, ruling that his absence amounted to a violation of the conditions attached to his bail.
Sowore is being prosecuted in a case instituted by the Department of State Services, DSS, over allegations linked to cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu. The charges stem from public remarks in which the activist described the president as a criminal.
The matter had previously been fixed for June 15, 2026, for a ruling on an application filed by Sowore seeking the recusal of the trial judge. The activist had argued that he could not receive a fair hearing before Justice Umar and requested that the judge withdraw from the case.
Although Sowore appeared at the court premises on Monday, proceedings did not take place because the judge was unavailable. Parties in the case were subsequently informed through the court registry that the matter had been shifted to June 16.
Ahead of the resumed hearing, Sowore wrote to the court requesting a fresh adjournment. In the letter dated June 15, he asked that the ruling be moved to selected dates in July or September, explaining that he had waited at the court on the earlier scheduled date before learning that proceedings would not hold.
At Tuesday’s sitting, however, the prosecution opposed the request and urged the court to take action against the defendant.
Lead prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, argued that Sowore was fully aware of the court’s directive to return on June 16 but chose not to appear. According to him, the defendant failed to provide any convincing explanation for his absence despite being on bail and having knowledge of the new hearing date.
The prosecution further maintained that the conduct showed a lack of respect for the judicial process, particularly as the case had already advanced to the defense stage.
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Responding to issues raised in court, Justice Umar explained that administrative difficulties caused by the court’s relocation to another floor had affected proceedings on June 15.
The judge stated that the movement created logistical challenges, including difficulties in accessing official court materials and assembling the full complement of court personnel needed to conduct proceedings.
He noted that because of those circumstances, pending matters before the court were adjourned to June 16 and all concerned parties were informed accordingly.
The court observed that instead of appearing on the adjourned date, Sowore forwarded a letter requesting that the ruling be postponed to another period.
Justice Umar held that the defendant’s failure to honor the court’s directive could not be ignored.
Citing the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, the judge ruled that a court has the authority to take necessary steps where a defendant who has been admitted to bail fails to appear as required.
He agreed with the position of the prosecution that Sowore’s conduct amounted to disobedience of a valid court order.
“The court held that the circumstances justified the revocation of bail and the issuance of a warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance.”
The judge subsequently revoked the activist’s bail and ordered security agencies to produce him before the court.
The case was adjourned until June 27, 2026, when the court is expected to deliver its ruling on the application seeking the judge’s recusal from the matter.
The Department of State Services, DSS, had in September 2025, filed a five-count charge against Sowore and social media platforms X Corp and Meta Incorporation, over posts calling President Tinubu “criminal.”
Following a request by counsel to the Department of the State Service DSS, lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, the judge, on Monday, struck out names of the two foreign defendants.
In a short ruling, Justice Umar removed X Corp., the owner of the social media platform X and Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, as co-defendants in the new case.
In the amended charge filed on December 5, 2025, Sowore was slammed by DSS with two count charges bothering on defamation of Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, Sowore pleaded not guilty to the two count charges when read to him.
Attempt to begin trial was however stalled due to complaints by Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall that the names of the witnesses and their particulars were not attached to the proof of evidence as required by law.
He claimed that the refusal to name the witnesses and disclosed their identities violated section 36 of the 1999 which compels fair hearing in any matter of the nature.
The Judge ordered Akinlolu Kehinde SAN to comply with the provisions of the law by listing names of the witnesses and their particulars and to also supply the defendant with necessary documents that would aid his preparation for defense.
The prosecution alleges that the Defendant knowingly and intentionally sent messages he knew to be n false through his official “X”, formerly Twitter and Facebook handles, where he published the statement: “This criminal @oflicialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to shamelessly lie’
The prosecution contends that by referring to the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. as a “criminal,” the Defendant published a false statement for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order, posing threat to or causing such message to be sent.
The charges are punishable with a fine of a minimum of Fifteen Million Naira or five years imprisonment.
