Court Defers Decision on Sowore’s Bail Appeal, Orders Continued Detention Until June 30

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 30 to deliver its ruling on an application filed by activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, challenging the revocation of his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Wednesday after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution over a motion seeking to suspend the court's earlier order revoking Sowore’s bail and issuing a warrant for his arrest.

Sowore’s counsel, Raphael Adakole, informed the court that the application, dated June 17 and filed on June 19, sought to overturn the June 16 ruling that revoked his client’s bail due to his absence from court.

According to the lawyer, the motion 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 that existed before the bail revocation order.

Adakole explained that the application was supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit and further strengthened by an additional affidavit and a reply on points of law filed after the prosecution submitted its counter-affidavit.

He asked the court to grant the reliefs sought and dismiss the prosecution’s objections.

However, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that the defence had failed to present sufficient facts to justify the court’s intervention.

Kehinde told the court that the DSS had filed a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and accompanying written arguments, urging the judge to reject the application.

He maintained that the defendant had not approached the court with facts capable of persuading it to exercise discretion in his favour.

Following submissions from both sides, Justice Umar reserved ruling until June 30.

After proceedings, Adakole made an oral request for Sowore to be released into his custody pending the ruling, assuring the court that he would ensure his appearance on the adjourned date.

The prosecution objected, insisting that such a request could not be made verbally.

Although Adakole argued that he was representing senior advocate Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika and gave assurances regarding Sowore’s appearance, the judge declined the request, noting that granting it could amount to deciding the substantive application before delivering his ruling.

As a result, Sowore will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the court determines the motion.

The court had earlier ordered his remand pending the hearing of his application challenging the bail revocation and arrest warrant.

Justice Umar had revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16 after he failed to appear for trial and subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The judge also dismissed an earlier application in which Sowore sought his withdrawal from the case over allegations of bias.