The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the continuation of his trial.
The decision followed an earlier ruling by Justice Mohammed Umar, who revoked the defendant’s bail and authorised his arrest after he failed to appear before the court on a scheduled hearing date.
Sowore arrived at the court premises on Monday morning accompanied by supporters, some of whom displayed placards in solidarity with him. He later told journalists that he had anticipated being taken into custody and came prepared for that possibility.
The activist was seen carrying a travel bag as he entered the court complex, signalling his readiness to comply with any order issued by the court.
Justice Umar had, on June 16, withdrawn the bail earlier granted to Sowore after determining that he did not honour the conditions attached to it by failing to attend proceedings.
Following an application by counsel representing the Department of State Services, Akintola Kehinde (SAN), the court also approved the issuance of a bench warrant directing security agencies to produce the defendant before the court.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over comments allegedly made against President Bola Tinubu on social media platforms.
According to the charge, the former presidential candidate allegedly described the President in terms the prosecution considers defamatory in posts published on his X handle and Facebook account.
With Monday’s ruling, Sowore will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre while the court continues hearing the matter. The case is expected to resume on a date to be communicated by the court.
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Better his head that is not correct will be forced to correct, omo ale
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