The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after he failed to appear for his scheduled trial in a cybercrime case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime offences linked to a social media post in which he reportedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the defendant was absent, prompting an application from the DSS for stricter measures.
Following the application, Justice Mohammed Umar revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
However, reacting to the development, Sowore strongly rejected the court’s decision, describing it as unjust and politically motivated.
In a statement, he claimed the presiding judge acted with bias and insisted that his absence from court was misrepresented.
“It has been brought to my notice that the judge presiding over my case concerning Tinubu is a criminal has revoked my bail, despite my presence in court yesterday, when the judge was not in attendance; consequently, we requested a new date”.
Sowore further argued that the scheduled sitting was meant to consider his application seeking the recusal of the judge, alleging that the decision to revoke his bail was an attempt to control the proceedings.
“The agenda for today was to consider my application seeking the judge’s recusal, but instead, he opted to revoke my bail in a bid to assert forceful control over the trial. I will confront these developments with determination and resilience.”
He maintained that the process was “planned” against him but expressed confidence that he would resist what he described as an attempt to undermine justice.
“This was all planned but it shall not prevail.
The struggle continues,” he said.
The case continues to generate public attention as proceedings are expected to resume at a date to be communicated by the court.
It has been brought to my notice that the judge presiding over my case concerning Tinubu is a criminal has revoked my bail, despite my presence in court yesterday, when the judge was not in attendance; consequently, we requested a new date.
The agenda for today was to consider… pic.twitter.com/5WQQONQPRN
— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) June 16, 2026
