A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application seeking a stay of the court’s decision revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant for his arrest.
In a brief ruling delivered today, Justice Mohammed Umar directed that Sowore remain in custody until the court determines the motion challenging the revocation of his bail.
The judge also dismissed an earlier application by the defendant requesting his withdrawal from the case over allegations of bias.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 24 for the hearing of the application filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), seeking a stay of execution of the orders revoking bail and issuing the bench warrant.
Justice Umar had revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16 after he failed to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial.
The court also granted an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Sowore is currently facing prosecution by the DSS over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The charges stem from social media posts published on his X and Facebook accounts in which he allegedly referred to the president as “a criminal.”
The court is expected to resume proceedings on June 24 to consider the application challenging the revocation of Sowore’s bail and the warrant issued for his arrest.
