The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30, 2026, to rule on an application by activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail and the cancellation of a bench warrant issued against him.
Justice Mohammed Umar set the date on Wednesday after lawyers for both parties adopted their court filings.
Sowore is facing charges of cybercrime and criminal defamation over alleged social media posts in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” He has pleaded not guilty.
The court had revoked his bail and issued a warrant for his arrest on June 16 after he failed to appear for trial. On Monday, the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s legal team urged the court to set aside the bail revocation order, vacate the bench warrant and restore his previous bail conditions.
The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that Sowore had not presented sufficient facts to justify the court’s intervention.
Following the adjournment, the defence made an oral request for Sowore to be released to his lawyers pending the ruling, citing concerns about his health.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting it should be made through a formal application.
Justice Umar declined the request, saying granting it would undermine the purpose of reserving the matter for ruling. He ordered that Sowore remain in custody until the court delivers its decision on June 30.
