馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Federal High Court sets June 30 for ruling on Sowore's bail application
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 30, 2026, for a ruling on an application by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore. Sowore is seeking the restoration of his bail and the setting aside of a bench warrant issued against him. Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter after both parties adopted their processes. The court had revoked Sowore's bail and issued a bench warrant on June 16 after he failed to appear for his trial on allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation. The Department of State Services is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as a "criminal" on his social media accounts. Sowore has pleaded not guilty. His counsel filed a motion seeking to set aside the bail revocation, vacate the bench warrant, and restore his earlier bail conditions. The defence urged the court to grant the application, while the prosecution opposed it, arguing that Sowore had not presented truthful facts. Following the adjournment, the defence orally requested Sowore's release to his legal team, citing his poor health, but the prosecution opposed this. Justice Umar denied the request, stating it would defeat the purpose of preparing his ruling, and ordered Sowore to remain in custody until the June 30 ruling.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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