Court Remands Sowore in Kuje Over Alleged Cybercrime Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of activist and former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over an alleged cybercrime case filed against him by the Department of State Services.

The order was issued on Monday after the court revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore. He is expected to remain in custody until Wednesday, when the case will continue before the court.

Sowore is facing a two-count charge linked to a social media post in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The DSS filed the charge under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, accusing him of making statements considered offensive and damaging to the President.

Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, had earlier revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16 after the activist failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial. The judge also issued a warrant for his arrest after Sowore, who was expected to open his defence, was absent from the proceedings.

Before the latest development, Sowore had chosen to represent himself in court after his legal team withdrew from the case. His decision to conduct his own defence added another turn to a case that has continued to draw public attention because of its connection to free speech, political criticism and the use of cybercrime laws in Nigeria.

At Monday’s sitting, the court also dismissed a motion seeking to stop Justice Umar from continuing with the trial. The motion had alleged bias and asked the judge to step aside from the case. However, Justice Umar rejected the application and ruled that he would continue to preside over the matter.

The case will resume on Wednesday, when the court is expected to continue proceedings on the two-count charge.

Sowore, a longtime critic of successive Nigerian governments, has faced several legal battles over his activism and political statements. His latest case has again raised questions about the boundary between political criticism and criminal prosecution under Nigeria’s cybercrime framework.

For now, the activist remains in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the next court sitting.