Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja until Wednesday after a Federal High Court upheld the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore’s remand on Monday after dismissing a fresh application seeking his withdrawal from the case. Sowore is currently facing charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over public remarks in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal, an allegation he has consistently denied.
Appearing in court without legal representation, Sowore renewed his call for Justice Umar to step aside, arguing that members of his legal team had withdrawn from the matter due to what they described as repeated hostility and unfair treatment during proceedings.
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Speaking after the hearing, Sowore said he personally filed another motion requesting the judge’s recusal after his lawyers declined to continue appearing before him. He also claimed efforts to have the case reassigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court were unsuccessful.
According to him, some of his lawyers became uncomfortable with the situation and chose to withdraw, leaving him to handle his defence alone.
Sowore maintained that if Justice Umar refuses to recuse himself, the trial will continue despite the growing tensions surrounding the proceedings.
Outside the court, supporters staged a protest demanding the restoration of his bail and the judge’s withdrawal from the case. The demonstrators accused the government of persecuting the activist and called for his immediate release.
The court had revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16, 2026, after ruling that he failed to appear for proceedings. However, Sowore had earlier written to the court requesting a new date to enable him secure new legal representation.
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