An Abuja Federal High Court revoked the bail of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and online publisher Omoyele Sowore on Tuesday.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore’s arrest after the politician failed to appear for his criminal defamation trial without providing a valid excuse.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu by calling him “a criminal” in posts he made on his “X” and Facebook accounts.
Justice Umar’s ruling on Monday was on the application by prosecuting lawyer Akinlolu Kehinde, who faulted the letter written by Sowore, seeking an adjournment.
When the case was called on Tuesday, Kehinde recalled that the matter had been scheduled for Monday for ruling, but the court’s Registrar informed the parties that it had been shifted to Tuesday.
The prosecuting lawyer said, for reasons best known to him, Sowore is absent from court and not represented by any lawyer.
He then proceeded to apply for the issuance of a bench warrant against Sowore and for the revocation of the bail granted to him.
At that point, the judge drew the prosecuting lawyer’s attention to a letter by the defendant, seeking an adjournment.
Responding, Kehinde faulted the letter dated June 15 and argued that it is of no moment, as the writer provided no reason for an adjournment.
Ruling, Justice Umar noted that Omoyele was in court on Monday and because the court was not properly constituted, proceedings in the case were shifted to Tuesday.
The judge noted that, while the defendant was absent on Tuesday, he chose to send a letter requesting that the case be adjourned until either July 2, 3, 15, or 17, or September 8 or 9, or on any subsequent date the court may deem convenient.
He observed that the defendant provided no reason as to why the adjournment he sought should be granted.
Justice Umar noted that Sowore is aware of the court’s earlier order that the case shall henceforth be heard on a day-to-day basis.
The judge, who observed that the defendant has not taken the trial seriously since it reached the defence stage on March 16, noted that Sowore has been delaying the case by one tactic or another, as all adjournments have been granted at the defendant’s instance.
He held that the defendant is in clear disobedience of the court’s order, made pursuant to Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and proceeded to revoke the bail earlier granted him.
“A bench warrant is hereby issued to compel the defendant’s appearance in court,” the judge said and adjourned till June 22 for ruling on Sowore’s application, praying the judge to recuse himself from the case.
