On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled a June 30, 2026, hearing for activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore's request to have his bail reinstated and a bench warrant against him thrown aside. Following the parties' adoption of respective application procedures, Justice Mohammed Umar postponed the case.
On June 16, after Sowore failed to show up for his trial on charges that bordered on criminal defamation and cybercrime, the court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Sowore is facing criminal defamation charges from the Department of State Services due to allegations that he called President Bola Tinubu a "criminal" in posts on his official X and Facebook profiles.
Sowore has entered a not guilty plea to the accusation.
The African Action Congress presidential candidate was placed on remand in the Kuje Correctional Center on Monday while the court considered his request for a stay of execution of the previous order that had revoked his bail.
Sowore's attorney, R.O. Adakole, and C.S. Etonyeaku, who was carrying Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika's (SAN) brief, told the court during the resumed hearing on Wednesday that the defendant had submitted a motion on notice dated June 17 and filed on June 19, 2026.
The application was filed in accordance with Sections 35(4), 36(1), and 6(6)(a) and (b) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution (as amended),
Twelve reliefs were requested under Sections 169 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as the court's inherent authority.
An order vacating the bench warrant issued against the defendant, an order restoring the status quo and the previous bail restrictions, and an order setting aside the court's June 16 order terminating the defendant's bail were among the reliefs requested.
The defense claimed to have relied on a written statement submitted in support of the application and a 34-paragraph affidavit that Emmanuel Larry had sworn to.
Counsel also told the court that a reply on points of law dated June 23 and a 36-paragraph statement attested to by Sodiq Temitope were filed on June 24.
The defense adopted the procedures and asked the court to "grant the application as prayed in the interest of justice." Additionally, we ask the court to disregard the complainant's affidavit.
Prosecuting attorney Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) responded by stating that the FG had submitted a written statement opposing the motion as well as a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by Moses Madara.
He said that all of the affidavit's paragraphs, including paragraphs 10 through 23, were being used by the prosecution.
"We will rely on the aforementioned procedures, requesting your Lordship to reject the application because the applicant has not presented this honorable court with accurate facts that could persuade the court to exercise its discretion in favor of the applicant," Kehinde stated.
Following the parties' hearing, Justice Umar postponed making a decision, until June 30, 2026.
After the adjournment, the defense verbally requested that Sowore be released to his legal team while the decision was being made, promising to bring him before the court on June 30.
The prosecution objected to the request, calling it "a little bit absurd" and claiming that a formal application would allow the prosecution to reply.
The defense countered that the application was within the court's discretion and that releasing the defendant would not affect the court's decision.
Additionally, counsel asked the court to approve the request, stating that he had learned of Sowore's bad condition.
Nonetheless, the prosecution reminded the court of "the optics of the matter" while letting the court make the final decision.
Noting that he had not yet reviewed the procedures submitted by both parties, Justice Umar said that approving the request would negate the goal of postponing the case in order to make his decision.
After that, he rejected the application and mandated the defendant's return to custody until the June 30 ruling.