Human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court in Abuja following developments in his ongoing cybercrime and defamation trial.
The order was issued on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, who directed that Sowore remain in custody pending the continuation of proceedings on June 24, 2026. The case arises from charges instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accuses the activist of cyberstalking and criminal defamation after he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in social media posts made in August 2025.
The legal battle began after Sowore published comments on X and Facebook concerning statements allegedly made by the President during a visit to Brazil. Following his refusal to remove the posts despite requests from security authorities, the DSS initiated prosecution under provisions of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024. In May 2026, the court declined an application seeking to terminate the case, ruling that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for Sowore to enter his defence.
Tensions surrounding the trial escalated earlier this month when Sowore’s legal team withdrew from the proceedings after the court ordered day-to-day hearings. The activist subsequently chose to defend himself and filed an application asking Justice Umar to step aside from the matter, alleging bias. However, the court on Monday dismissed the application and proceeded with further orders in the case.
The remand order followed an earlier bench warrant issued after Sowore failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on June 16. Prosecutors described the absence as an attempt to delay the trial, leading the court to revoke the self-recognition bail previously granted to him. Sowore, however, maintained that he had attended court on the previous adjourned date only to discover that the judge was unavailable and argued that he had formally notified the court of his travel plans before the arrest order was issued.
According to the prosecution, Sowore’s online statements were deliberately false and capable of inciting public disorder, an allegation he has consistently denied while maintaining a plea of not guilty.
Reacting shortly after the ruling, Sowore took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with the court’s decision.
“Justice Mohammed Umar refused to recuse himself from presiding over my case and then ruled that I be remanded in custody, I addressed our Comrades on the solid need to remain resolute in pursuit of justice. There is no going back.”
In a video released after the court session, the activist said he had anticipated the outcome and arrived prepared for detention. He alleged that prosecutors specifically urged the court to ensure he remained behind bars until the next adjourned date.
“The court was told by the prosecutors that they must insist on sending me to jail until Wednesday. But guess what? I brought my prison bag. And I told the judge that said he cannot recuse himself that when they are ready, I am ready.
“I have predicted before now that all these things are going to happen. But they are happening for a good reason. And the reason is that somebody must make the sacrifice that will liberate this country,” he said.
Sowore further described his legal troubles as part of a broader struggle against injustice and what he termed the abuse of power by political leaders. He insisted that his activism over the years has been driven by a commitment to social justice and democratic accountability.
“I feel privileged that I am the one who has stood the test of time against the impunity of our leaders. Some of them pretended that they were democrats in 1993. In 2026, we discovered that they are monsters, and I am referring to Tinubu.
“And I am insisting once again, because I was brought here by Buhari in 2019, I said then and I repeat again that nobody can defeat the revolution. And shame, sorrow, tears will visit the families of the people who do injustice to people who fight for social justice,” Sowore stated.
With the court dismissing his application for recusal and ordering his detention, attention now shifts to Wednesday’s proceedings when Sowore is expected to continue his defence in the high-profile case that has generated significant public and political interest.
(Ripples)
