The federal high court in Abuja has remanded human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Sowore, who is being charged for calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal, will remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when legal proceedings are scheduled to resume.
The defendant had in August 2025, made a posts on X and Facebook, calling President Tinubu a “criminal” over statements made during a trip to Brazil.
He declined to delete the post following demand by the Department of State Service, citing free speech.
Earlier in June 5, Sowore’s legal team withdraws from the case, citing intimidation and humiliation by the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, forcing the activist to represent himself and asking the judge to recuse himself after accusing him of bias.
In turn, Justice Umar revoked Sowore’s bail, alleging that the Activist was absent from court.
On June 22, 2026 (today), Justice Umar officially dismisses Sowore’s motion seeking his disqualification over alleged bias.
Following the arrest order, the court orders Sowore to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.
While the prosecution argued that Sowore’s recent absence from court was a deliberate obstruction, Sowore publicly countered that he had arrived at court for the previous scheduled sitting on June 15, only for the judge to be absent without notice.
Sowore had filed a formal letter informing the registry of his subsequent travel, which the court ultimately bypassed when issuing the arrest warrant the following day.
