By Sowore Sent to Kuje Prison as Court Rejects Recusal Bid
Sowore
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in his case.
In a brief ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar directed that Sowore remain in custody while the court considers and determines his application seeking a stay of the order revoking his bail and the bench warrant previously issued against him.
The court also dismissed an earlier application filed by Sowore requesting that Justice Umar recuse himself from the case over allegations of bias.
Following the ruling, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 24 for the hearing of the motion for stay.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the application for stay was filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).
Earlier, Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, arrived at the court accompanied by supporters carrying placards.
Justice Umar had on June 16 revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore after he failed to appear in court for his trial. The judge also issued a bench warrant for his arrest following an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN).
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.