Sowore will remain in Kuje Prison until June 30

Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore will remain detained at Kuje Correctional Center until June 30.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday deferred ruling on his bail application in an ongoing cybercrime and defamation trial.

Judge Mohammed Umar set sentencing for Tuesday, June 30, and rejected a separate request by Sowore’s lawyers for his temporary release pending the court’s decision.

The legal dispute arose after the court on June 16 revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for a scheduled proceeding.
The activist is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over social media posts in which he referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a criminal”.
Sowore has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Defense lawyers RO Adakole and CS Etonyeaku, representing Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), on Wednesday urged the court to revoke the June 16 orders and reinstate their client’s bail.
They argued that Sowore had consistently attended court proceedings since the trial began and should not have missed bail for a single absence.

The defense also requested that Sowore be released into the custody of his lawyers pending sentencing on June 30, arguing that he would be available for all future court appearances.
However, the prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed both requests, arguing that the activist’s absence at the previous hearing had not been satisfactorily explained and that the bail revocation should remain in place.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Umar reserved his decision until June 30 and ordered that Sowore be returned to Kuje Prison. The decision set the stage for a crucial court session next Tuesday, when the judge is expected to determine whether the activist will regain freedom while awaiting trial or remain in detention while the case continues.