Sowore

Author: Gist Correspondent

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday revoked the bail granted to publisher and activist Omoyele Sowore following his failure to appear in court for his ongoing trial.

Justice Mohammed Umar also issued a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest after granting an oral application made by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations of making false and defamatory claims against President Bola Tinubu, including a social media post on X and Facebook in which he allegedly referred to the President as “a criminal.”

The court had earlier fixed Tuesday for ruling on a separate application filed by Sowore through his counsel, Marshall Abubakar, seeking the judge’s recusal from the case.

However, when the matter was called, neither Sowore nor his lawyer was present in court, prompting concern from the prosecution.

Although the court was informed that Sowore had written a letter requesting an adjournment, the DSS counsel opposed the request, arguing that no sufficient reason was provided, and urged the court to revoke the bail and order his arrest.