A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30 for ruling on the application filed by human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of publishing defamatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu on social media.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who is presiding over the matter, fixed the date on Wednesday after taking arguments on the application.
During the proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, R.O. Adakole, urged the court to exercise its discretion and release the activist to his legal team pending the ruling, noting that he had consistently appeared in court and had never jumped bail since the commencement of the trial.
Adakole argued that Sowore should be allowed to remain with his legal representatives while awaiting the court’s decision.
However, the judge declined the request, stating that he needed to carefully examine the affidavits and other processes filed before arriving at a decision.
Despite repeated pleas from the defence, the court refused to grant temporary release and adjourned ruling to June 30.