A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail granted to activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and ordered his arrest over his absence at the hearing of his ongoing trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday following an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN).
The court also issued a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over alleged defamatory claims against President Bola Tinubu, whom he reportedly described as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
The trial judge had earlier fixed June 17 for ruling on an application filed by Sowore through his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, seeking the judge’s recusal from the case.
However, when the matter came up, neither Sowore nor his counsel was present in court.
The court was informed that the defendant had sent a letter requesting an adjournment of the proceedings.
Counsel to the DSS opposed the application, arguing that no satisfactory reason was provided for the request.
Kehinde subsequently urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
After considering the application, Justice Umar granted the request, revoked Sowore’s bail and ordered his arrest.
The case was thereafter adjourned pending further proceedings.
