Court Revokes Sowore’s Bail, Orders Arrest Over Absence at Cyberbullying Trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail granted to human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and ordered his arrest after he failed to appear for the continuation of his cyberbullying trial.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday following an oral application by prosecuting counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde, who argued that the defendant had not provided any valid reason for his absence from court.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over allegations that he published defamatory and false statements against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his social media platforms, including X and Facebook.

The matter came up for ruling on an application filed by Sowore through his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, seeking the recusal of Justice Umar from further handling of the case. The court had earlier fixed June 16, 2026, for the ruling.

However, when the case was called, neither Sowore nor his counsel was present in court. The court was informed that the defendant had sent a letter requesting an adjournment.

Opposing the request, Kehinde argued that no convincing explanation had been provided to justify the defendant’s absence and urged the court to revoke his bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

“There is no cogent reason before this court to justify the defendant’s application for adjournment,” the prosecutor submitted.
Ruling on the application, Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution and granted the request.

The court subsequently revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to arrest and produce him before the court for the continuation of the trial.

The development marks a significant turn in the high-profile case, which centres on allegations of cyberbullying and defamation arising from comments allegedly made by Sowore against the President.