By Our Correspondent
National News – The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after he failed to appear for the continuation of his cybercrime trial.
Sowore is facing a two-count charge filed by the Department of State Services over a social media post in which he called President Bola Tinubu a “criminal”. He was scheduled to open his defence on Tuesday but did not show up.
Through a letter to the court, he explained that he had travelled to Lagos to look for new lawyers after his legal team withdrew from the case. He said he intended to represent himself pending the reconstitution of a new legal team.
The DSS opposed his absence and asked the court to revoke his bail. Justice Mohammed Umar granted the application, revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore, and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Background to the case
Sowore was arraigned on December 2, 2025, on charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. He pleaded not guilty. The charges relate to posts made on August 25, 2025, on his X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook handles, @YeleSowore.
The prosecution alleges he violated Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The posts were a reaction to President Tinubu’s statement in Brazil that corruption had ended under his administration.
Sowore wrote: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The DSS had earlier written to X Inc. and Meta Platforms, asking them to ban Sowore’s accounts and delete the posts.
It also wrote directly to Sowore demanding removal of the posts. His non-compliance led to the charges. The prosecution claims the posts were defamatory and intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and damage the president’s reputation.
Exhibits include printouts of the posts and DSS correspondence. X and Meta were initially listed as co-defendants but were later delisted in the amended charge.
Sowore’s application for recusal
Before Tuesday’s hearing, Sowore filed an application asking Justice Umar to recuse himself and send the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
Citing Section 36(1)(5)(6) of the 1999 Constitution, he accused the judge of bias.
He referenced an incident where his lawyer was ordered to kneel in court and said the decision to hear the case daily, plus what he called the judge’s “high-handedness,” scared his lawyers away.
“My lawyers indicated to me that they are afraid to appear before you and will no longer appear because of the humiliation they suffered before this court,” Sowore stated. “Pending the time I am able to reconstitute a new legal team, I shall be representing myself before your lordship.”
The trial will resume after Sowore is produced in court.
