Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 30 for a ruling on a motion filed by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), which seeks to vacate an order revoking his bail.
The court set this date following arguments from both the defence and the prosecution regarding a motion for a stay of execution of the earlier order.
Raphael Adakole, counsel to Sowore, moved the motion on notice filed on June 19, citing Sections 35(4), 36(1), and 66(a&b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside Sections 169 & 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Adakole requested an order to set aside the June 16 ruling that revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant due to his absence in court.
Adakole urged the court to restore the status quo, stating, “The application was accompanied by a 25-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Larry.”
Counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), vehemently opposed the application.
In their 25-paragraph counter-affidavit, the prosecution argued that Sowore had failed to provide truthful facts to justify the exercise of the court’s discretion in his favour, and subsequently urged the court to refuse the application.
Following the submissions, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for his ruling. During the proceedings, Adakole made an oral request for the court to release Sowore into his custody, promising to produce him at the next hearing.
However, Kehinde opposed this, noting that such an application cannot be made orally. The judge declined the request, stating he was inclined to leave the matter as adjourned.
Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, is currently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following an order issued on June 22. The court previously dismissed Sowore’s application seeking the judge’s recusal on grounds of “alleged bias.”
The ongoing trial involves charges brought by the DSS against Sowore, who is accused of making false claims against President Bola Tinubu by labeling him “a criminal” in posts shared on his X and Facebook accounts.
