Court rejects Sowore’s request, orders from immediate remand

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights advocate and AAC presidential candidate, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja till Wednesday, according to the ruling of the Federal High Court.

On Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar remanded Sowore at Kuje Correctional Centre following the rejection of his bail. The move was as a result of allegations made against him by the DSS in connection with his statements about President Bola Tinubu being a “criminal,” which Sowore has been refuting since day one.

The court has rejected an application by Sowore for recusal of the presiding judge. This is just another step in the trial of Sowore, which has been filled with tension since the beginning.

During earlier proceedings, Sowore contended that he did not have any legal counsel because his lawyers were pulling out of the case owing to hostility and unfriendly attitude towards them in court.

In a post on X, Sowore claimed that he had to defend himself because his lawyers pulled out from the case due to fear.

“Soon after today’s court hearing at the Federal High Court, where I represented myself because my lawyers had decided they could no longer appear before Justice M.G. Umar due to what they described as persistent maltreatment, I personally moved a motion asking the judge, once again, to recuse himself from the case,” he wrote.

He further alleged that efforts to have the case reassigned to another judge had been unsuccessful.

Outside the courtroom, the proceedings drew significant public attention as a group of supporters gathered in protest, calling for Sowore’s release and the restoration of his bail. Chanting “Free Sowore Now!”, they accused the authorities of political persecution.

Justice Umar had revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16, 2026, citing his absence from court proceedings, setting the stage for Monday’s latest ruling.

The case has been adjourned to Wednesday for further hearing amid rising tension and continued legal disputes.