Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday warned that the bail granted to politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore could be revoked if he fails to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
Speaking during proceedings, Justice Umar said, “If the defendant fails to attend the next hearing, this court will not hesitate to revoke his bail and issue a warrant for his arrest to ensure his forceful production in court.”
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences.
The charges relate to social media posts in which he allegedly made defamatory claims against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal. According to the prosecution, the statements were published on Sowore’s accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
The DSS told the court that the posts were capable of causing reputational harm and public unrest. A source at the prosecution stated, “The publications violate the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and have the potential to mislead the public, which is why this matter is before the court.”
During the hearing, Justice Umar emphasized the importance of Sowore’s presence in court, warning, “The court will not tolerate actions that could delay judicial proceedings. Compliance with bail conditions and court appearances is mandatory.”
The case was adjourned to a later date for continuation of hearing.