Anti-Tinubu’s comment: Court remands Sowore in Kuje prison

Ignatius Okorocha, Abuja with Agency report 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded human rights activist and African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Presiding Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order following the revocation of Sowore’s bail last week.

The activist will remain in custody until Wednesday.

The court order came after Justice Umar dismissed an application by Sowore asking the judge to step down from the case.

The Department of State Services is prosecuting Sowore over public remarks where he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal, an allegation that Sowore denies.

Sowore represented himself during the Monday session. He explained that his legal team refused to continue appearing in the matter due to what they described as persistent unfair treatment and hostility from the judge.

Sowore stated that his lawyers became afraid to represent him, forcing him to file and move a fresh recusal application personally.

He added that an earlier request to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the case file to another judge was rejected.

Earlier, there was a confrontation between officials of the Department of State Services and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday morning at the Federal High Court premises over the restriction of access to the court.

The drama bagan when DSS operatives blocked individuals accompanying the activist from entering the area.

In a video circulating online, a DSS officer is seen confronting Sowore, stating, “We can only allow you and your lawyers come inside the court premises but we can’t allow your supporters, we don’t want your supporters.”

Sowore in his response said his followers were his family members.

Sowore’s ongoing legal battle can be traced back to 2024 when the DSS filed a case against him over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

While the DSS argued that these comments violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, Sowore has consistently maintained that his utterances were political opinions fully protected by his right to freedom of expression.

The trial has experienced several court appearances, adjournments, and legal arguments over the years, leading to a decision earlier this year where the court dismissed Sowore’s no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence. Sowore opposed the ruling and subsequently sought the recusal of the trial judge, alleging bias in the handling of the case.

A bench warrant had been issued for Sowore’s arrest. Justice Umar revoked Sowore’s bail after he allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled hearing, agreeing with the prosecution’s argument that an adjournment letter submitted by his legal team did not provide a satisfactory reason for his absence.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA has condemned the action of the court to revoke Sowore’s bail, saying the entire legal episode paints Nigeria graphically as a primitive enclave whereby the rule by brute force is applied to quash freedoms of expression and speech.

HURIWA asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to drop the charges slammed on Sowere because in the perception of HURIWA,  President Bola Tinubu has all the communication and information machineries and manpower at the disposal of the President to counter the alleged unprintable social media post that was made by Sowere which precipitated his current legal ordeal.

HURIWA recalled that Sowore’s 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.

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

Sowere thereafter rebuffed DSS demands to delete the posts, citing free speech.

HURIWA however thinks that the decision of the judge of the Federal High Court was hasty, harsh and untenable considering that it has emerged that Sowere did send a letter to the honorable judge through the Chief Registrar explaining his reason that he would not be in the court due to some travelling constraints.

HURIWA said as a civil rights advocacy group, it is aware that several judges and justices of the courts of competent jurisdiction have even on their own, granted adjournments when the prosecution is not available even without a written or oral reasons. “This Honourable judge, could have granted Sowere just one adjournment and if he fails to honour the rescheduled proceeding, then the judge could exercise his authority regarding the bail.

“We are aware that even when persons accused of large scale corruption and economic crimes asked for adjournments, most judges do oblige them their prayers. So, why is Sowore being discriminated against? Why the hurry to revoke his bail which his lordship had willingly granted?”

Similarly, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged “the government of President Bola Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omoyele Sowore and drop all charges of criminal defamation and cybercrimes against him, as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.”

In a statement signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “We are concerned about the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom, and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities.”

According to SERAP, “Nigerian authorities should safeguard, not stifle, human rights and the rule of law in the country.”

The statement, read in part: “Nigerian authorities must immediately release Sowore and drop all the bogus charges against him. Authorities must stop weaponizing criminal defamation and cybercrime laws to target and attack journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists and stop detaining and imprisoning them solely for doing their jobs.”

“We are concerned that journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists face significant obstacles, and even criminal charges and arbitrary detention solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and carrying out their legitimate work in the country.”

“Nigerian authorities at all levels increasingly use criminal defamation laws and other repressive laws to crackdown on human rights and peaceful dissent, bringing frivolous lawsuits against journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists.”

“We are also concerned about the persistence of threats to journalists’ safety, and the potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and harassment, including by security agencies and politicians.”

“Impunity for those who threaten, intimidate and harass journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists exacerbates the hostile environment for these defenders of constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights in Nigeria.”

“The right to criticize public officials and government policies is a fundamental component of any democratic society. Public officials are required to tolerate a greater degree of scrutiny and criticism than private individuals. Legal processes should never be used, or be perceived as being used, to punish, intimidate, or silence dissenting voices or those engaged in legitimate public-interest advocacy.”

“The Tinubu administration must ensure that Sowore is able to carry out his journalistic and human rights activities and exercise his right to freedom of expression without fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest, or reprisals.”

“The administration must also end the growing authoritarian practices, uphold the rule of law and ensure respect for the human rights of everyone in Nigeria, including the rights to liberty, a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly.”

“President Tinubu and his government should publicly call on the Department of State Services (DSS) to uphold and ensure full respect for the rights of everyone in the country including journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists.”