ABUJA — Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was on Monday remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre by a Federal High Court in Abuja following the revocation of his bail and the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore’s detention after the activist appeared before the court amid an ongoing trial instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore, who arrived at the court premises carrying a packed bag and accompanied by supporters holding placards, told journalists he had anticipated the court’s decision to remand him.
“I knew the court would order my detention,” he reportedly said before proceedings commenced.
The court had earlier, on June 16, revoked the bail previously granted to Sowore after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Umar, the court granted an oral application filed by counsel to the DSS, Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), seeking the revocation of the activist’s bail. The judge 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 and defamatory statements against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
According to the prosecution, Sowore allegedly referred to President Tinubu as “a criminal” in a social media post, an action the agency said contravenes extant laws.
The development attracted a large number of Sowore’s supporters to the court premises, where they staged a solidarity gathering while proceedings lasted.
The remand order marks a fresh twist in the legal battle between the DSS and the Sahara Reporters publisher, a case that continues to draw national attention and spark debate among political observers and civil rights advocates.
