A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court ordered his remand pending the hearing of an application challenging the revocation of his bail.
Judge dismisses recusal application
Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge, issued the order on Monday.
Earlier, the court dismissed an application in which Sowore asked the judge to recuse himself from the case over alleged bias.
Following the ruling, the judge proceeded to consider other pending applications before the court.
Court adjourns hearing
Meanwhile, the court adjourned hearing on a motion for stay of execution filed by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Sowore’s new counsel.
The matter was adjourned until June 24.
In a brief ruling, Umar held that Sowore should remain in custody until the court hears and determines the application.
Bail revoked over absence
Sowore appeared before the court on Monday, days after the judge revoked his bail and ordered his arrest.
At the last sitting on June 16, the court withdrew the bail earlier granted to the activist.
The judge said a letter seeking an adjournment on Sowore’s behalf failed to provide adequate reasons for his absence from court.
DSS prosecuting Sowore
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore on a two-count charge.
The charges stem from a social media post in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
AAC alleges political persecution
Following the revocation of Sowore’s bail, the Oyo chapter of the AAC criticised the court’s decision.
The party described the development as political persecution and alleged an attempt to frustrate Sowore’s political activities.
According to the AAC, Sowore attended the previous hearing and sought alternative dates because of a scheduled trip.
