The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30 to rule on an application filed by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, seeking to overturn the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar scheduled the ruling after hearing arguments from Sowore’s counsel, Raphael Adakole, and the Department of State Services (DSS), represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Akinkolu Kehinde.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Adakole informed the court that the defence had filed a motion dated June 17 and submitted on June 19, asking the court to set aside its June 16 order which revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence from court.
The lawyer explained that the application was brought under relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and the court’s inherent powers. He urged the court to restore the status quo that existed before the bail revocation order.
According to the defence, the application was supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Emmanuel Larry. Adakole further disclosed that a supplementary affidavit and a reply on points of law had also been filed in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
He urged the court to grant the request in the interest of justice and dismiss the prosecution’s objections.
However, counsel to the DSS strongly opposed the application. Kehinde told the court that the prosecution had filed a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address challenging the defence’s claims. He argued that Sowore had failed to present sufficient and truthful facts that would justify the court exercising its discretion in his favour.
After listening to both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.
Following the adjournment, Adakole made an oral request for Sowore to be released into his custody pending the court’s decision, assuring the judge that he would ensure his appearance on the next hearing date.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that such an application could not be made orally. In response, Adakole stated that he was representing senior lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, whose assurances, he argued, should carry weight before the court.
Justice Umar declined the request, noting that granting it would amount to determining the substantive application before delivering his ruling. He therefore maintained the existing order.
Sowore will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the court decides on his application.
The court had earlier ordered his remand on Monday pending the hearing and determination of his motion challenging the revocation of his bail. On the same day, Justice Umar dismissed an application by Sowore seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case over allegations of bias.
The bail was revoked on June 16 after Sowore failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he published false claims about President Bola Tinubu on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
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