(JUST IN) Defamation: Court remands Sowore in Kuje pending hearing

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order revoking his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar made the order shortly after dismissing an application by Sowore seeking his recusal from the case on the grounds of alleged bias.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Wednesday, June 24, for the hearing of the application for stay of execution filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).

Sowore, had earlier arrived at the court premises accompanied by supporters carrying placards.

The court had, on June 16, revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest, after he failed to appear for the continuation of his trial.

The orders followed an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services, Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN).

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore for alleged criminal defamation over claims that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts on his X and Facebook accounts.

Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the order for his remand, the activist, while addressing pressmen, alleged that the prosecutors had asked the court to insist that he be jailed until Wednesday.

Sowore further stated that he was not surprised by the ruling, adding that he was making the sacrifice to liberate the country.

“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 said he cannot recuse himself 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.

He further noted that he had stood the test of time as an advocate for social justice, insisting that nobody could “defeat the revolution.”

“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.