The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned ruling on the application filed by human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who is presiding over the matter instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, fixed June 30 for ruling on the application.
Sowore is currently facing prosecution over comments in which he described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”
During proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, R.O. Adakole, who held brief for lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to exercise its discretion and release the activist to his legal team pending the determination of the application before the court.
Adakole argued that Sowore had consistently appeared before the court and had never jumped bail since the commencement of proceedings.
He pleaded with Justice Umar to allow Sowore remain with his legal representatives while awaiting the court’s ruling.
However, Justice Umar declined the request, insisting that he needed to carefully study the affidavits and other processes already filed before taking any decision on the matter.
Despite repeated appeals from the defence counsel, the judge refused to grant the request for temporary release.
The development comes amid growing concerns from supporters and rights activists over the revocation of Sowore’s bail by the court.
Activists and civil society organisations have accused Justice Umar of unfairly revoking Sowore’s bail despite the activist’s record of always appearing in court whenever required.
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that Justice Umar revoked Sowore’s bail and ordered the issuance of a bench warrant following the defendant’s failure to appear for a scheduled proceeding.
The matter had been adjourned for a ruling on an application filed by the activist, asking the judge to recuse himself over allegations of bias. Sowore argued that he could not obtain justice before the trial judge.
Sowore was in court on Monday, June 15, 2026, but the matter could not proceed as scheduled due to the absence of the judge, who later directed the court registrar to inform all parties in the case to return on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Through a letter dated June 15, 2026, Sowore applied for an adjournment, requesting that the matter be fixed for ruling on any convenient date between July 2, 3, 14, 15, or 17, 2026, or in September.
However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the judge, while considering the matter, recalled that the defendant had previously appeared before the court in connection with the case.
In his submission, counsel for the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, told the court that the defendant was absent without providing any reason.
He therefore urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail.
The decision to revoke Sowore’s bail has sparked widespread condemnation, with both local and international organisations calling for the move to be reviewed.
The controversy surrounding Justice Umar is also linked to an earlier courtroom incident involving human rights lawyer, Marshal Abubakar.
During a previous cross-examination session involving a DSS official, Justice Umar had ordered Abubakar to kneel before the court, a move that sparked outrage among lawyers and civil society groups who described the action as humiliating and an abuse of judicial authority.
The case has continued to attract public attention amid concerns over freedom of expression, judicial conduct, and the treatment of government critics under the current administration.
