Court Remands Sowore in Kuje Prison Pending Hearing on Bail Revocation Challenge

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Monday after dismissing an application filed by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal from the case over allegations of bias.

Following the ruling, the court adjourned hearing on a motion for stay of execution filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, until June 24.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar held that Sowore should remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of the application challenging the revocation of his bail.

Sowore appeared before the court on Monday, days after the judge revoked the bail previously granted to him and ordered his arrest.

At the last hearing on June 16, the court revoked the activist’s bail after ruling that a letter seeking an adjournment on his behalf failed to provide satisfactory reasons for his absence in court.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore on a two-count charge linked to a social media post in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.

Reacting to the development, the Oyo State chapter of the AAC condemned the court’s decision, describing it as political persecution and alleging an attempt to hinder Sowore’s political activities.

The party maintained that Sowore had attended the previous hearing and requested alternative dates due to a scheduled trip.