Defamation: Court remands Sowore in Kuje prison

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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the immediate remand of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

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Sowore will remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when legal proceedings are scheduled to resume, Vanguard reports.

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The detention stems from a two-count cybercrime charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accuses Sowore of cyberstalking and criminal defamation after he labeled President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in an August 2025 social media post.

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In August 2025, Sowore posts on X and Facebook, calling President Tinubu a “criminal” over statements made during a trip to Brazil.

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He refuses DSS demands to delete the posts, citing free speech.

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In May 2026, Justice Mohammed Umar rejects Sowore’s application to drop the charges. The judge rules that the DSS established a prima facie case, legally requiring Sowore to open his defense.

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Earlier in June 5, following a judicial directive for daily trial hearings, Sowore’s legal team withdraws from the case.

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Citing the “humiliation” his lawyers faced, Sowore opts to represent himself and files a motion accusing the judge of bias.

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Meanwhile, on June 16, 2026, after Sowore fails to appear for a scheduled defense continuation, the prosecution labels it a “delay tactic”.

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Justice Umar revokes his self-recognition bail and issues a bench warrant for his arrest.

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Vanguard reports that on June 22, 2026 (today), Justice Umar officially dismisses Sowore’s motion seeking his disqualification over alleged bias.
nFollowing the arrest order, the court orders Sowore to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.n

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PUNCH Online reports that the federal government’s case rests on provisions within Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024.

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The prosecution argues that Sowore’s online rhetoric was knowingly false and intentionally deployed to incite public disorder. Sowore maintains a plea of “not guilty”.

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While the prosecution argued that Sowore’s recent absence from court was a deliberate obstruction, Sowore publicly countered that he had arrived at court for the previous scheduled sitting on June 15, only for the judge to be absent without notice.

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Sowore had filed a formal letter informing the registry of his subsequent travel, which the court ultimately bypassed when issuing the arrest warrant the following day.

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Proceedings are set to pick back up in mid-week as Sowore remains in custody.

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