ABUJA, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre after dismissing his application seeking the recusal of the presiding judge from his ongoing trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on Monday, rejected Sowore’s request that he step aside from the case on grounds of alleged bias. Following the ruling, the court ordered Sowore’s remand pending the hearing and determination of a motion seeking a stay of the earlier order that revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Video footage that surfaced online showed Department of State Services (DSS) operatives taking Sowore into custody inside the court premises immediately after the ruling, sparking widespread reactions from supporters and observers who expressed concern over the manner of his arrest.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with Sowore’s supporters and civil society organisations raising concerns about the limits of free speech and political expression in Nigeria. Some have questioned the timing and nature of the charges, which they argue may be politically motivated.
Justice Umar had on June 16, 2026, revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant following his failure to appear in court. The decision was made after an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services, Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), who is prosecuting Sowore on charges bordering on criminal defamation and alleged cybercrime.
The charges stem from social media posts in which Sowore referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts. The prosecution has argued that the posts violated provisions of the Cybercrime Act and constituted criminal defamation.
Sowore arrived at the court premises on Monday accompanied by supporters, some of whom carried placards in solidarity with him. His legal team, now led by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), has filed an application seeking a stay of the orders revoking his bail and authorising his arrest. The court has fixed Wednesday, June 24, 2026, for the hearing of the application.
The case has continued to generate significant public attention, with observers raising concerns over issues relating to free speech, political expression, and the limits of online commentary in Nigeria. Civil society organisations have called for restraint and due process, while Sowore’s supporters have vowed to continue their advocacy for his release.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case is expected to test the boundaries of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and the protection of freedom of expression in the country. For now, Sowore remains in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre, with his legal team preparing to argue for his release at the next hearing.
