The federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday, June 24, adjourned ruling on the application filed by human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail to June 3o.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who is presiding over the matter instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), fixed June 30 for ruling on the application.
Sowore is currently facing prosecution over comments in which he described president Bola Tinubu as a criminal.
During proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, R.O. Adakole, who held brief for lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to exercise its discretion and release the activist to his legal team pending the determination of the application before the court.
Adakole argued that Sowore had consistently appeared before the court and had never jumped bail since the commencement of proceedings.
He pleaded with justice Umar to allow Sowore to remain with his legal representatives while awaiting the court’s ruling.
However, Umar declined the request, insisting that he needed to carefully study the affidavits and other processes already filed before making any decision on the matter.
Despite repeated appeals from the defence counsel, the judge refused to grant the request for temporary release.
The development comes amid growing concerns from supporters and rights activists over the revocation of Sowore’s bail by the court.
Activists and civil society organisations have accused Umar of unfairly revoking Sowore’s bail despite the activist’s record of always appearing in court whenever required.
On Tuesday, June 16, Umar revoked Sowore’s bail and ordered the issuance of a bench warrant following the defendant’s failure to appear for a scheduled proceeding.
The matter had been adjourned for a ruling on an application filed by the activist, asking the judge to recuse himself over allegations of bias.
Sowore argued that he could not obtain justice before the trial judge.
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