Court to rule on Sowore’s bail reversal application June 30

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30, 2026, for ruling on an application filed by Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher, seeking the reinstatement of his bail and the setting aside of a bench warrant issued against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter on Wednesday after counsel for both parties adopted their written submissions in the application.

The court had on June 16 revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence from proceedings in a case involving allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over alleged defamatory statements in which he reportedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts published on his verified X and Facebook accounts. He has, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At an earlier sitting on Monday, the court ordered that Sowore be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the defendant, R.O. Adakole, alongside C.S. Etonyeaku, who held the brief of Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), informed the court that a motion on notice dated June 17 and filed June 19 had been submitted for consideration.

In response, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), told the court that the Federal Government had filed a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and written address opposing the application, urging the court to dismiss it on the grounds that the applicant had not presented credible facts capable of justifying the exercise of judicial discretion in his favour.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned ruling until June 30, 2026.

Following the adjournment, defence counsel orally requested that Sowore be released to his legal team pending the ruling, undertaking to produce him in court on the next date.

The prosecution objected, describing the request as procedurally inappropriate and urging that it be formally filed.

The defence, however, argued that granting the request was within the court’s discretion and would not prejudice proceedings, adding that the defendant was reportedly in poor health.

The prosecution acknowledged the court’s discretion but cautioned on “the optics of the matter,” leaving the decision to the court.

Justice Umar declined the request, noting that granting it would undermine the basis for the adjournment, and ordered that Sowore remain in custody pending the ruling date.