Court Reserves Ruling on Sowore’s Bail, Orders Return to Kuje Custody

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the return of activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling on his application seeking the restoration of his bail.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar fixed June 30, 2026, for the delivery of the ruling after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution on Wednesday.

Sowore is standing trial on charges bordering on alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation. The case was instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over claims that he described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts published on his social media accounts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court had earlier revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest on June 16 following his failure to appear for trial. He was subsequently remanded in Kuje prison pending the determination of his application challenging the revocation order.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, defence counsel R.O. Adakole, alongside C.S. Etonyeaku, who represented Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), informed the court that the defendant had filed an application seeking to set aside the order revoking his bail and to vacate the bench warrant issued against him.

The defence also requested the restoration of the bail conditions previously granted to the activist, relying on affidavits and supporting legal arguments filed before the court.

Counsel urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice and dismiss the objections raised by the complainant.

In opposition, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), argued that the Federal Government had filed a counter-affidavit challenging the application. He maintained that the defendant had failed to present sufficient and truthful facts to warrant the exercise of the court’s discretion in his favour.

Kehinde therefore urged the court to reject the application and uphold its earlier orders.

After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Umar reserved ruling until June 30.

Following the adjournment, the defence made an oral application requesting that Sowore be released into the custody of his legal team pending the court’s decision, assuring the court that he would be produced on the scheduled ruling date.

The prosecution opposed the request, contending that such an application ought to be formally filed to allow for a proper response.

The defence, however, argued that granting temporary release would not prejudice the pending ruling and informed the court that Sowore was reportedly experiencing health challenges.

In his response, Justice Umar declined the request, noting that granting temporary freedom would undermine the purpose of the adjournment, especially as the court was yet to fully review all the processes before it.

The judge subsequently ordered that Sowore remain in custody and be produced in court on June 30 for the ruling on his bail application.