Court revokes Sowore’s bail, orders arrest

A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail earlier granted to publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and ordered his arrest over his absence at the continuation of his cyberbullying trial.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false and defamatory statements against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his social media platforms, describing him as “a criminal” in posts shared on X and Facebook.

The court had earlier fixed June 16 for ruling on an application filed by Sowore through his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case.

However, when the matter was called on Tuesday, neither Sowore nor his counsel was present in court. The court was informed that the defendant had forwarded a letter requesting an adjournment.

Counsel to the DSS opposed the request, arguing that no sufficient reason had been provided to justify the defendant’s absence or the application for adjournment.

Kehinde subsequently urged the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Justice Umar granted the application, revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his arrest.

The case is part of ongoing legal proceedings involving allegations of cyberbullying and false publication against the activist and former presidential candidate.