The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday revoked the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, and issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his absence from a cyberbullying trial.
Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, delivered the ruling on an oral application made by the prosecutor, Akinkolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported the proceedings.
The State Security Service is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu.
The charge relates to posts in which he referred to the president as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
Court proceedings
Justice Umar had on June 5 fixed Tuesday for ruling on an application by Sowore, through his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, seeking the judge’s recusal from the case.
When the case was called on Tuesday, neither Sowore nor his lawyer was present in court.
The judge was informed that the defendant had sent a letter seeking an adjournment.
The SSS counsel opposed the application for adjournment.
Kehinde argued that no cogent reason was provided by the defendant for the request.
He asked the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
Justice Umar granted the request, revoked the bail, and issued the bench warrant.
The case continues before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
