Abuja Court Revokes Sowore Bail, Issues Arrest Warrant

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, revoking his bail after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in his criminal trial on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar issued a bench warrant for Sowore's arrest and ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre upon apprehension.

The case stems from social media posts Sowore made in August 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal. The Department of State Services (DSS) filed charges against him, alleging the posts amounted to cyberstalking and were capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. Sowore pleaded not guilty after being arraigned on December 2, 2025.

At Tuesday's hearing, neither Sowore nor his legal counsel was present. The prosecution, led by counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, applied for the bail revocation and an arrest warrant, describing Sowore's absence as a delay tactic. The court was informed that Sowore had sent a letter requesting an adjournment but had not provided a cogent reason for his non-appearance. Justice Umar granted the prosecution's request.

Sowore's absence came at a critical juncture in the...