By Gideon Maxwell
June 22, 2026
The legal proceedings against human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, reached a critical juncture on Monday, June 22, 2026, when the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his immediate remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the remand order following a series of procedural developments, mandating that Sowore remain in custody until at least Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when the court is scheduled to hear an application for a stay of the order regarding the revocation of his bail.
The nature of the cybercrime charges
The prosecution, led by the Department of State Services (DSS), is pursuing a two-count charge against Mr. Sowore, primarily centered on allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
The case is built upon social media posts made by the activist in August 2025 across X and Facebook.
In these posts, Sowore labeled President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in relation to statements the President purportedly made during an official trip to Brazil.
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The federal government, represented by counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), argues that these posts constitute a violation of Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act of 2024, asserting that the rhetoric was knowingly false and intended to incite public disorder.
Timeline of the ongoing legal struggle
The trial has been characterized by significant friction between the court, the prosecution, and the defense:
May 2026: Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Mr. Sowore, denying a “no-case submission” filed by his defense team and ordering him to open his defense.
June 5, 2026: In an effort to accelerate the trial, the court mandated daily hearings. Shortly thereafter, Sowore’s legal team withdrew from the case, citing what they described as the “humiliation” they faced within the courtroom.
Mr. Sowore subsequently opted to represent himself.
June 16, 2026: Sowore failed to appear for the scheduled continuation of his defense. The prosecution characterized this as a deliberate delay tactic, leading Justice Umar to revoke his bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
June 22, 2026: Sowore appeared in court with new legal counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN). During this session, the judge dismissed Sowore’s motion for his (the judge’s) recusal on grounds of bias.
The court then ordered his remand to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of a motion to stay the bail revocation.
The current status of the case
As of Monday, the legal focus remains on the upcoming June 24 hearing.
Olumide-Fusika has moved for a stay of the court’s earlier order revoking bail. Until the court reaches a decision on this motion, the activist will remain in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case continues to draw attention from civil society and legal experts, as it remains a significant test of the limits of free speech and the application of the 2024 Cybercrimes Act in the context of political dissent.
