The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Sowore is expected to remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when proceedings in his ongoing trial will resume.
The case arises from a two-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing Sowore of cyberstalking and criminal defamation following social media posts he made in August 2025, in which he described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”
According to court records, Sowore made the comments on X and Facebook in reaction to statements attributed to the President during a visit to Brazil. He reportedly declined requests by the DSS to remove the posts, insisting that they were protected under his right to freedom of expression.
In May 2026, Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed an application by Sowore seeking to strike out the charges. The court held that the DSS had established a prima facie case against him, thereby requiring him to enter a defence.
Subsequently, on June 5, 2026, Sowore’s legal team withdrew from the matter following a directive that trial proceedings be conducted on a daily basis. Alleging that his lawyers had been subjected to humiliation, Sowore chose to represent himself and filed a motion seeking the judge’s recusal on grounds of alleged bias.
The case took another turn on June 16, 2026, when Sowore failed to appear for the continuation of his defence. The prosecution described his absence as a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings. Justice Umar thereafter revoked the bail earlier granted to him on self-recognition and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
On June 22, 2026, the court dismissed Sowore’s application seeking the judge’s disqualification from the case. Following the ruling, the court ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the next hearing.
The Federal Government’s prosecution is based on Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024. Prosecutors contend that Sowore knowingly published false statements online with the intention of inciting public disorder. However, Sowore has maintained his plea of not guilty.
While the prosecution argued that his absence from court was intended to obstruct the trial, Sowore maintained that he had appeared in court on June 15, only to discover that the judge was absent without prior notice. He further stated that he had formally informed the court registry of his travel plans before the arrest warrant was issued.
With proceedings scheduled to resume midweek, Sowore remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Sowore Reacts to Court Decision
Reacting to the ruling, Sowore posted on X, stating that Justice Mohammed Umar declined to recuse himself from the case before ordering his remand.
He wrote:
“Justice Mohammed Umar refused to recuse himself from presiding over my case and then ruled that I be remanded in custody. I addressed our comrades on the solid need to remain resolute in pursuit of justice. There is no going back.”
In a video accompanying the post, Sowore told journalists that prosecutors had insisted he remain in custody until the next adjourned date.
According to him, the outcome did not come as a surprise, as he had anticipated the decision and was prepared for it.
“The court was told by the prosecutors that they must insist on sending me to jail until Wednesday. But guess what? I brought my prison bag. And I told the judge that when they are ready, I am ready.
“I have predicted before now that all these things are going to happen. But they are happening for a good reason. And the reason is that somebody must make the sacrifice that will liberate this country,” he said.
The activist also reflected on his years of advocacy, describing himself as a consistent opponent of injustice and abuse of power. He argued that his commitment to social justice remains unwavering and expressed confidence that the struggle for change would ultimately succeed.
“I feel privileged that I am the one who has stood the test of time against the impunity of our leaders. Some of them pretended that they were democrats in 1993. In 2026, we discovered that they are monsters, and I am referring to Tinubu.
“And I am insisting once again, because I was brought here by Buhari in 2019, I said then and I repeat again that nobody can defeat the revolution. And shame, sorrow, tears will visit the families of the people who do injustice to people who fight for social justice,” Sowore stated.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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