A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30, 2026, to rule on an application filed by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore seeking the reversal of a bench warrant issued for his arrest and the restoration of his bail conditions.
Justice Muhammad Umar adjourned the matter on Wednesday after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence in the ongoing cybercrime case against Sowore.
At the resumed hearing, defence counsel Raphael Adakole, who appeared on behalf of Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Fusika, urged the court to set aside its June 16 order revoking Sowore’s bail and the bench warrant issued following his absence from court on the scheduled trial date.
The defence also requested that the original bail terms granted to Sowore be restored.
In addition, Adakole appealed to the court to release the defendant into the custody of his legal team pending the determination of the application, citing concerns over Sowore’s health and assuring the court that he would continue to attend future proceedings.
However, lead prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde opposed the application, arguing that the defendant had failed to place sufficient facts before the court to justify the exercise of judicial discretion in his favour.
While responding to the request for Sowore’s temporary release, the prosecution said it would leave the matter to the discretion of the court but urged the judge to consider the broader implications of the case.
Delivering a brief ruling, Justice Umar stated that he had not yet reviewed all the affidavits and counter-affidavits filed by the parties and would require time to study the documents before making a decision.
The judge noted that granting the request for temporary release at that stage could amount to determining the substantive application before formally ruling on it.
Consequently, the court declined the defence’s request and ordered that Sowore remain at the Kuje Custodial Centre pending the ruling scheduled for June 30.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Federal Government over allegations of cybercrime and cyberbullying linked to social media posts in which he allegedly made defamatory claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The case was initially filed by the Department of State Services before being taken over by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Meanwhile, dozens of Sowore’s supporters gathered outside the Federal High Court during Wednesday’s proceedings, carrying placards and chanting slogans in support of the activist. Security was visibly heightened around the court premises throughout the hearing.
