Post by Arise News (@arisenews)

Alleged Cybercrime: Court Reserves Ruling on Sowore's Bid to Vacate Arrest Warrant, Remains in Kuje Custody

Activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre until June 30, when a Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to rule on his application seeking to set aside a bench warrant issued for his arrest and the revocation of his bail.

At Wednesday's proceedings, Raphael Adakole, appearing for Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeyinka Fusika, urged the court to vacate the June 16 order that revoked Sowore's bail after he failed to appear for trial on that date.

The defence also asked the court to withdraw the bench warrant issued against the defendant and restore the original bail conditions previously granted to him.

However, lead prosecutor, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN, opposed the application, arguing that the defendant had not presented sufficient and truthful facts to justify the court's exercise of discretion in his favour.

Adakole further appealed for Sowore's release into the custody of his legal team pending the court's decision, assuring the court that the defendant would continue to attend all future proceedings. He cited Sowore's health condition as a basis for the request.

Responding to the application, the prosecution said it would leave the matter to the court's discretion but urged the judge to consider what it described as "the optics of the matter."

Justice Muhammad Umar stated that he had not yet reviewed all the affidavits and counter-affidavits filed by both parties and would require additional time to study the documents before making a decision.

The judge noted that granting the request for Sowore's temporary release could amount to determining the substantive application before delivering a ruling. He subsequently declined the defence's request and adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.

The Federal Government is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made defamatory and false claims against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as "a criminal" in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.

0 likes · 0 comments · 0 shares