By John Azu
There was outrage at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday after Justice Mohammed Umar declined an application seeking his recusal from the trial of activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and subsequently ordered his remand at the Nigerian Correctional Service custodial centre in Kuje.
Justice Umar, in a ruling delivered on Monday, held that the case had progressed to a stage where it was no longer practicable for him to withdraw from the proceedings, noting that the defendant was due to open his defence.
The judge also ordered Sowore’s remand pending the hearing and determination of an application for stay of execution filed by his legal team. The application is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, June 24.
The development follows the court’s decision on June 16 to revoke the activist’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.
Sowore is standing trial on a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), bordering on alleged cybercrime offences. The charges stem from a post allegedly made on X on September 23, 2025, in which he reportedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
At Monday’s proceedings, Sowore’s new counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), urged the court to stay the execution of its order revoking his client’s bail, arguing that the defendant had informed the court beforehand of a medical appointment outside Abuja on the date he was absent.
The application, brought pursuant to Sections 35(4), 36(1) and 6(6)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution, sought an order setting aside the bench warrant issued on June 16 and preserving the status quo pending the determination of the substantive issues raised by the defence.
Fusika argued that the circumstances surrounding Sowore’s absence did not warrant the revocation of his bail and urged the court to reconsider its earlier decision.
However, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, maintaining that the defendant’s failure to appear in court amounted to a disregard for the judicial process and justified the court’s action.
Moments after the ruling, Sowore addressed supporters and journalists within the court premises, insisting that he remained committed to his activism and was prepared to face imprisonment in pursuit of what he described as the struggle for a better Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that the end of the evil regime has come to be; I have no doubt that the Nigerian people deserve my sacrifice,” he said.
“I have no doubt that if we don’t do it now, we have to do it later. This is the sacrifice I started making at the age of 18 and I am now 56 and I am still going to prison on behalf of my country.”
The activist also assured his supporters that the campaign for social justice would continue despite his detention.
According to him, the movement he has championed over the years remains larger than any individual.
Sowore further stated that since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he had consistently maintained that no force could suppress what he described as the struggle for justice and democratic accountability.
The court’s decision triggered protests outside the courthouse, where hundreds of Sowore’s supporters gathered in solidarity with him. Many expressed anger over the ruling and chanted slogans demanding his release.
Before being taken away by correctional officers, Sowore was seen retrieving a bag containing clothing and personal effects, which he handed over to custodial officials as arrangements were made for his transfer to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The matter is expected to resume on June 24 when the court will hear arguments on the application seeking a stay of execution of the order revoking his bail.