Court Orders Sowore Back to Kuje Prison, Fixes June 30 for Bail Hearing

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered activist and online publisher Omoyele Sowore back to the Kuje Correctional Centre, rejecting a defence request to release him ahead of a June 30 hearing on his bail and bench warrant.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order Wednesday after Sowore's counsel, R.O. Adakonye, standing in for lead counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, informed the court that proceedings had been adjourned to consider an application to set aside a bench warrant and bail revocation issued against his client.

Justice Umar had on Monday revoked the December 2025 bail granted to Sowore "based on self-recognition" and ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his absence from court on June 16, 2026.

The bail revocation came after the judge had directed Sowore to open his defence in the cybercrime case brought against him by the Department of State Services.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over posts he made on his X and Facebook accounts in August 2025, in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a "criminal." The agency turned to criminal prosecution after several unsuccessful attempts to compel Sowore to take down the posts.

At the resumed hearing Wednesday, Adakonye urged the court to release Sowore into his custody pending the June 30 ruling, promising to produce him in court on that date.

Justice Umar declined the request and ordered that Sowore remain in Kuje until the matter is heard.

Prosecution counsel A.T. Kehinde, SAN, opposed the defence application, informing the court that he had filed a counter-affidavit urging the judge to refuse both the setting aside of the bench warrant and the reinstatement of bail.

Justice Umar adjourned the case to June 30, 2026, when he will rule on the defence application to set aside the bench warrant and restore Sowore's bail.

The outcome will determine whether Sowore remains in custody or is released ahead of the continuation of his trial.

Sowore, publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate, has faced a series of legal battles with Nigerian authorities over his political activism and online commentary.