Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was placed on immediate remand at the Kuje Correctional Center by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday. According to Vanguard, Sowore will be detained until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when court cases are expected to resume.
The Department of State Services (DSS) filed a two-count cybercrime case against Sowore in August 2025 after he called President Bola Tinubu a "criminal" in a social media post. The charges include cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
Sowore refers to President Tinubu as a "criminal" in posts on Facebook and X in August 2025 because of remarks he made while visiting Brazil.
Citing free speech, he rejects DSS's requests to remove the posts.
Justice Mohammed Umar denied Sowore's request to have the charges dropped in May 2026. Sowore is legally required to provide his defense when the judge determines that the DSS established a prima facie case.
Sowore's legal team withdrew from the lawsuit earlier on June 5 in response to a court order for daily trial hearings.
Sowore chooses to represent himself and files a motion alleging prejudice, citing the "humiliation" his attorneys endured.
In the meantime, the prosecution calls Sowore's failure to appear for a planned defense continuance on June 16, 2026, a "delay tactic."
A bench warrant for his arrest is issued by Justice Umar, who also revokes his self-recognition bail.
According to Vanguard, Justice Umar formally rejected Sowore's request to be disqualified due to claimed bias on June 22, 2026 (today). The court ordered Sowore to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Center after the arrest.
The federal government's action is based on terms found in Section 24 of the revised Cybercrimes Act, 2024, according to PUNCH Online.
Sowore's internet rhetoric, according to the prosecution, was purposefully used to provoke public unrest and was knowingly false. Sowore continues to enter a "not guilty" plea.
Sowore openly refuted the prosecution's claim that his recent absence from court was a purposeful obstruction, stating that he had shown up for the prior scheduled meeting on June 15 but that the judge had been absent without warning.
When the court issued the arrest order the next day, it disregarded Sowore's formal letter alerting the registry of his subsequent journey.
Sowore is still being held, and the proceedings are scheduled to resume in the middle of the week.
Following the verdict, Sowore tweeted on X, writing, "I addressed our comrades on the solid need to remain resolute in pursuit of justice. Justice Mohammed Umar refused to recuse himself from presiding over my case and then ruled that I be remanded in custody." There is no turning back.
Sowore spoke to reporters in a video that went with the tweet, stating that the prosecution had asked the court to keep him detained until Wednesday.
Sowore claims that he was ready for the outcome and that the verdict did not surprise him. He insisted that his experience was a part of a larger fight to ensure the nation's freedom.
"The prosecutors informed the court that they must insist on locking me up until Wednesday. However, you know what? I had my prison bag with me. And I informed the judge that he could not disqualify himself, that I would be ready when they were.
"I have already foreseen that all of these events will take place. However, there is a good reason why they are occurring. And the reason is, in order to free our nation, someone needs to make the sacrifice," he stated.
The activist also discussed his years of activism, characterizing himself as someone who has continuously opposed injustice and power abuse. He maintained that the fight for change would eventually succeed and that his dedication to social fairness had not wavered.
"I consider myself fortunate to have stood the test of time against our leaders' impunity. In 1993, several of them purported to be Democrats. We found out they are monsters in 2026—I'm talking about Tinubu.
"And I am reiterating once more because Buhari brought me here in 2019. I stated then, and I reiterate now, that no one can defeat the revolution.
And the families of those who do injustice to those who struggle for social justice will experience shame, grief, and tears," Sowore said.