Court remands Sowore in Kuje prison over alleged defamatory posts against Tinubu

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Mr Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, gave the order pending the hearing and determination of Sowore’s application seeking a stay of execution of the court’s earlier decision revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant for his arrest.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 24 for the hearing of the application filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika.

Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, arrived at the court premises in the company of supporters and members of his group, some of whom carried placards.

The court had, on June 16, revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore following his failure to appear for the continuation of his trial.

Justice Umar had also issued a bench warrant for his arrest following an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts, where he allegedly described the President as “a criminal.”

The matter has continued to attract public attention, with rights activists and political figures calling for the charges against the activist-politician to be reviewed.