Sowore Remains in Kuje Prison As Court Fixes June 30 Bail Ruling

Sowore Remains in Kuje Prison As Court Fixes June 30 Bail Ruling

“After listening to both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the case to June 30 for ruling”

By Samuel Akpan

Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has declined an application for the immediate release of activist Omoyele Sowore from the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The court has adjourned until June 30 to deliver a ruling on Sowore’s motion to vacate a bench warrant—issued due to his non-appearance in court—and to reinstate his bail.

Persecondnews reports that the defendant is facing criminal defamation charges initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The prosecution alleged that Sowore defamed President Bola Tinubu by labeling him a “criminal” in publications across his official X and Facebook handles.

He has pleaded not guilty.

On June 16, the court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for trial.

Three days later, on June 19, the court ordered his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the outcome of his bid to stay the revocation order.

Persecondnews reports that at Wednesday’s hearing, Sowore’s lawyers, Mr. R.O. Adakole and Mr. C.S. Etonyeaku holding brief for Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), told the court they had filed a motion on notice dated June 17 seeking 12 reliefs.

The application, brought under Sections 35(4), 36(1), and 6(6)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution, Sections 169 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction, asked for the June 16 orders to be set aside and for Sowore’s earlier bail conditions to be restored.

The defence relied on a 34-paragraph affidavit deposed by Emmanuel Larry, a written address, a 36-paragraph affidavit filed on June 24 by Sodiq Temitope, and a reply on points of law dated June 23.

Adopting the processes, the defence urged the court to grant the application.

“Grant the application as prayed in the interest of justice. We also urge the court to discountenance the affidavit of the complainant,” counsel submitted.

Prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) opposed the application. He relied on a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed by Moses Madara and a written address, placing particular emphasis on paragraphs 10 to 23.

“We shall be relying on the aforementioned processes, urging your Lordship to refuse the application, as the applicant has not placed truthful facts before this honourable court that are capable of swaying the mind of the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant,” Kehinde told the court.

After listening to both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the case until June 30 for ruling.

Following the adjournment, Sowore’s lawyers made an oral application for him to be released into their custody pending the ruling, giving an undertaking to produce him in court on June 30.

They argued the release would not affect the court’s decision and informed the judge that Sowore was in poor health.

The prosecution strongly opposed the request, describing it as “a little bit absurd” and insisting that such an application should be made formally so the prosecution could respond properly.

Counsel also referred to “the optics of the matter” but ultimately left the decision to the court’s discretion.

Justice Umar declined the request, noting that granting the oral application would defeat the purpose of the adjournment, as he had not yet reviewed the processes filed by both parties.

The judge, therefore, ordered that Sowore be returned to custody pending the June 30 ruling.