Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher of Sahara Reporters, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest following his failure to attend a previous hearing.
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Sowore arrived at the court premises accompanied by supporters and members of his movement, some of whom carried placards as they escorted him into the court complex.
The court appearance comes less than a week after Justice Mohammed Umar revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore and ordered his arrest over his absence from proceedings in an ongoing case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a ruling delivered on June 16, Justice Umar granted an oral application filed by DSS counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, seeking the revocation of Sowore’s bail.
The judge subsequently issued a bench warrant directing security agencies to ensure his appearance before the court.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu by referring to the Nigerian leader as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
The case has attracted significant public attention because of its implications for free speech, political expression and the limits of public commentary on public office holders.
Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate, has previously faced several legal battles linked to his political activities and criticism of government policies.
Monday’s appearance is expected to allow the court to address the circumstances surrounding his absence and determine the next stage of the proceedings.
As of the time of filing this report, the court had yet to commence sitting, and neither the prosecution nor the defence had made fresh submissions on the matter.
The case adds to a long-running history of legal confrontations involving Sowore and security agencies.
The activist gained national prominence through his advocacy campaigns and multiple presidential bids under the AAC platform, often positioning himself as a vocal critic of successive administrations.
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The outcome of the proceedings is likely to be closely monitored by political observers, civil society groups and legal practitioners given the broader questions surrounding freedom of expression and accountability in public discourse.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
