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Sowore Remains in Kuje Prison as Court Delays Decision on Bail Revocation Appeal
The Federal High Court has fixed June 30 to rule on Sowore’s bid to overturn his bail revocation, while the DSS opposes his release from custody.
Omoyele Sowore will remain in custody until at least June 30 after a Federal High Court in Abuja postponed ruling on his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date after listening to submissions from Sowore’s legal team and lawyers representing the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore’s lawyer, Raphael Adakole, urged the court to reverse the June 16 order that revoked his client’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for trial.
The defence argued that the application was backed by constitutional provisions and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and sought a restoration of the legal position that existed before the revocation order.
Adakole also informed the court that the defence had filed additional affidavits and a reply addressing the prosecution’s objections.
“We adopt the said reply on points of law while placing reliance on the further affidavit and urge the court to grant the application as prayed in the interest of justice,” he submitted.
Opposing the motion, DSS lawyer Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN) asked the court to dismiss the application, relying on a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit.
He maintained that Sowore had not provided enough credible facts to warrant a favourable exercise of the court’s discretion.
“We are placing particular emphasis on Paragraphs 10 to 23,” Kehinde said.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar reserved ruling until June 30.
The defence subsequently sought Sowore’s temporary release into counsel’s custody, with Adakole assuring the court that the activist would be produced on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that such an application must be formally filed rather than made orally.
The judge agreed to maintain the existing order, noting that releasing Sowore before ruling on the application would effectively prejudge the matter.
Sowore was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre earlier this week after the court ordered his detention pending determination of his challenge to the bail revocation.
He is currently facing prosecution by the DSS over alleged false claims made against President Bola Tinubu on social media platforms, including X and Facebook.
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