The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the immediate remand of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Sowore is expected to remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when proceedings in his ongoing cybercrime trial are scheduled to resume.
The case stems from a two-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing Sowore of cyberstalking and criminal defamation over social media posts made in August 2025 in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
According to the prosecution, the statements were published on Sowore’s X and Facebook accounts following comments made by the president during an official trip to Brazil. The DSS alleged that the posts were false and intended to provoke public unrest.
Sowore, however, declined requests from security authorities to delete the posts, insisting that his comments were protected under the right to freedom of expression.
The legal battle intensified in May 2026 when Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed an application seeking to strike out the charges. The court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, requiring Sowore to enter his defence.
Earlier this month, following a judicial directive ordering daily trial sittings, members of Sowore’s legal team withdrew from the case. The activist subsequently chose to represent himself, citing what he described as the humiliation faced by his lawyers during proceedings.
He also filed a motion seeking the recusal of Justice Umar, alleging judicial bias in the handling of the matter.
However, the court on Monday dismissed the application, clearing the way for the trial to continue under the same judge.
The controversy surrounding the case deepened after Sowore failed to appear for a scheduled court session on June 16, 2026. Prosecutors argued that his absence was a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings.
Justice Umar subsequently revoked Sowore’s self-recognition bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Sowore has maintained that he did not intentionally evade the court process. He claimed that he had appeared at the courthouse on June 15 for the scheduled hearing but found that the judge was absent without prior notice.
According to him, he later submitted a formal letter to the court registry informing officials of his travel plans. He argued that the court overlooked this communication when it approved the warrant for his arrest.
Following the dismissal of his motion challenging the judge’s impartiality, the court ordered that Sowore be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the continuation of his defence.
The federal government’s case is based on provisions of Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024. Prosecutors contend that Sowore knowingly disseminated false information capable of causing public disorder, while the activist has consistently pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case has continued to generate public debate, with supporters describing it as a test of free speech rights, while the government maintains that the charges relate to the lawful enforcement of cybercrime regulations.
Proceedings are expected to resume on June 24, when Sowore is scheduled to continue presenting his defence before the court.
