Judge Revokes Activist Sowore’s Bail to Force Day-to-Day Defamation Trial

Nigerian activist, publisher and politician Omoyele Sowore has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after a Federal High Court in Abuja revoked his bail for failing to appear at a previous hearing in a criminal defamation case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ordered the remand today following Sowore’s appearance in court. The activist, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), claims he had missed the June 16 hearing while consulting with his new legal team led by senior advocate Olumide Fusika. His counsel informed the court of the reason for the absence, but the judge proceeded with the revocation.

Sowore appeared as directed and addressed journalists outside the courtroom before being taken into custody. In a widely circulated video, he said he had come prepared with what he called a “prison bag,” adding that he intended to continue mobilising supporters from detention. “Somebody must make sacrifices that will benefit this country,” he stated.

The case centres on a social media post Sowore made in August 2025 in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The DSS filed a multi-count charge of criminal defamation and cybercrime after he refused to delete the posts, citing his constitutional right to freedom of expression. The trial has been marked by delays, a rejected no-case submission by the defence, and accusations of judicial bias, prompting an application for the judge’s recusal that is still pending.

Sowore’s orange beret supporters gathered at the court, describing the remand as political persecution. The activist, founder of Sahara Reporters, has a long history of criticising successive Nigerian governments and has previously spent time in detention over his “RevolutionNow” campaign and other activism. In a statement shared on social media shortly after the ruling, he said imprisonment had never defeated a just cause and urged his supporters to remain resolute.

Prosecutors, however, have argued that Sowore’s repeated absences amounted to delay tactics. The court had earlier granted him bail on self-recognition, but tightened conditions after the latest non-appearance. Legal observers note that the case raises more concerns on the use of defamation and cybercrime laws in Nigeria, the limits of free speech when criticising public figures, and the balance between accountability and democratic expression.

Kuje prison has held several high-profile detainees in recent years and has faced criticism over conditions. Sowore’s legal team is expected to pursue appeals and continue pressing the recusal application at the next hearing. The substantive trial is set to proceed on a day-to-day basis.

Some of his supporters view his detention as an attempt to silence dissent, while others maintain that public figures must face consequences for statements that cross legal lines.