ABUJA – The Federal High Court has ordered that activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of his application to stay the revocation of his bail.
Presiding judge Justice Mohammed Umar issued the ruling on Monday, simultaneously dismissing Mr Sowore’s separate application seeking the judge’s recusal from the case over allegations of judicial bias.
The court has adjourned proceedings until 24 June to entertain the substantive stay motion, which was filed by the defendant’s new lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN.
Bail revoked over non-appearance
The remand order follows the revocation of Mr Sowore’s bail and the issuance of a bench warrant on 16 June, after he failed to appear for trial. The warrant was obtained orally by the counsel for the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN.
The DSS is prosecuting the Sahara Reporters publisher over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu, having referred to the President as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Sowore arrived at the court premises accompanied by supporters carrying placards.