The Federal High Court in Abuja has pushed the ruling on Omoyele Sowore’s bail restoration request to June 30, 2026.
Justice Mohammed Umar is handling the case filed by the Department of State Services. Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate and human rights activist, is being prosecuted for calling President Bola Tinubu “a criminal.”
At Wednesday’s hearing, Sowore’s lawyer R.O. Adakole asked the court to release his client to his legal team while it considers the application. Adakole noted that Sowore has attended every court session and has not violated bail conditions.
Justice Umar rejected the request. He said he needs time to review the affidavits and other documents before making a decision.
The adjournment comes after tension over the judge’s earlier decision on June 16 to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant. That happened after Sowore missed a hearing. He had asked Justice Umar to recuse himself, citing bias, and requested new dates in July or September.
DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde told the court Sowore was absent without explanation and urged the bail revocation. The move has drawn criticism from local and international rights groups.
The judge is also under scrutiny for a separate incident where he ordered human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar to kneel in court during a DSS cross-examination. Lawyers and civil society groups called it humiliating.
Sowore’s case has drawn public attention to issues of free speech, judicial conduct, and how government critics are treated.
