The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
In a brief ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar directed that Mr. Sowore be held in custody pending the hearing and determination of his motion seeking to stay the court’s earlier order revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant for his arrest.
The court also dismissed Mr. Sowore’s application requesting the judge’s recusal from the matter on grounds of alleged bias. Justice Umar subsequently adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, 24 June, for the hearing of the motion for stay.
Reports indicate that Mr. Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed the motion on his behalf.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Sowore—publisher of Sahara Reporters—arrived at the court accompanied by supporters carrying placards.
On 16 June, Justice Umar revoked the bail previously granted to Mr. Sowore after he failed to appear in court for his trial. Acting on an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), the judge also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The case is being prosecuted by the State Security Service (SSS), which alleges that Mr. Sowore made false claims against President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts in 2025.
