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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of online publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of a motion seeking to halt the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order in a brief ruling after considering proceedings in the matter. The court directed that Sowore remain in custody until the hearing and determination of an application for stay of execution of the order revoking his bail and the bench warrant earlier issued against him.
The judge also dismissed an application filed by Sowore seeking his recusal from the case over allegations of bias. Justice Umar held that the application lacked merit and declined to withdraw from further handling of the matter.
Following the ruling, the court fixed June 24 for the hearing of the motion for stay of execution filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).
The latest development stems from an earlier ruling delivered on June 16, when Justice Umar revoked the bail previously granted to Sowore after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial on alleged cybercrime charges.
Acting on an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), the court had also issued a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest to compel his appearance before the court.
With the dismissal of the recusal application and the order for his remand, attention now shifts to Wednesday’s proceedings when the court is expected to hear arguments on whether the orders revoking Sowore’s bail and issuing a warrant for his arrest should be suspended pending further judicial consideration.
