Activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, will remain in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre until June 30.
On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja postponed its ruling on his application seeking the restoration of his bail in an ongoing cybercrime and criminal defamation trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed Tuesday, June 30 for the ruling and rejected a separate request by Sowore’s lawyers for his temporary release pending the court’s decision.
The legal dispute arose after the court, on June 16, revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest when he failed to appear for a scheduled proceeding.
The activist is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as ‘a criminal’.
Sowore denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Wednesday, defence counsel R.O. Adakole and C.S. Etonyeaku, appearing for Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to reverse the June 16 orders and restore their client’s bail.
They argued that Sowore had consistently attended court proceedings since the commencement of the trial and should not lose his bail over a single absence.
The defence also requested that Sowore be released into the custody of his legal team pending the June 30 ruling, maintaining that he would be available for all future court appearances.
However, the prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed both requests, arguing that the activist’s absence from the earlier hearing was not satisfactorily explained and that the bail revocation should remain in force.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Umar reserved ruling until June 30 and directed that Sowore be returned to Kuje prison. The decision has set the stage for a crucial court session next Tuesday, when the judge is expected to determine whether the activist regains his freedom pending trial or remains in detention as the case continues.
