A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail granted to activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and ordered his arrest following his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday after granting an oral application made by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN).
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made defamatory and false claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
The court had earlier adjourned the matter until June 16 for a ruling on an application filed by Sowore through his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, seeking the judge’s recusal from the case.
However, when the matter was called on Tuesday, neither Sowore nor his counsel was present in court.
The court was informed that the defendant had submitted a letter requesting an adjournment of the proceedings. Counsel for the DSS opposed the request, arguing that no sufficient reason had been provided to justify the defendant’s absence or the application for adjournment.
Kehinde subsequently urged the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
In his ruling, Justice Umar granted the application, revoked the defendant’s bail, and ordered security agencies to arrest him and produce him before the court for the continuation of the proceedings.
The case forms part of an ongoing legal battle arising from statements allegedly made by Sowore on social media platforms concerning the President.
Further proceedings are expected once the defendant is brought before the court.
