By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of prominent activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after he failed to appear for his ongoing trial on cybercrime charges.
Justice Mohammed Umar revoked Sowore’s bail following an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) and ordered his immediate arrest.
Sowore was scheduled to open his defence on a two-count charge filed by the DSS for allegedly calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in social media posts made on August 25, 2025.
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The activist, who opted to represent himself after his legal team withdrew from the case, informed the court via a letter that he had travelled to Lagos in search of new lawyers willing to take up his matter. Despite the explanation, the court proceeded to revoke his bail.
Sowore had earlier filed an application asking Justice Umar to recuse himself from the trial and remit the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment, citing alleged bias.
In the application, anchored on Section 36(1)(5)(6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sowore referenced an incident in which his lawyer was allegedly ordered to kneel before the court. He claimed his previous lawyers were scared off by the judge’s “high-handedness” and the decision to hear the case on a day-to-day basis.
“My lawyers indicated to me that they are afraid to appear before you and will no longer appear because of the humiliation they suffered before this court. Pending the time I am able to reconstitute a new legal team, I shall be representing myself before your lordship,” Sowore had stated.
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Sowore was arraigned on December 2, 2025, on charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. He pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The charges stem from posts on his official X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts in reaction to President Tinubu’s statement in Brazil that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.
The contested post read:
“This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
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The DSS had demanded that X Inc. and Meta Platforms remove the posts and later charged Sowore for allegedly publishing false information intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and tarnish the President’s reputation.
The development adds to the growing list of high-profile confrontations between the Tinubu administration and vocal critics.
Sowore, known for his fierce opposition to successive governments, remains a polarizing figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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DDNews gathered that the activist is yet to be apprehended as of the time of filing this report.
The case has been adjourned pending the execution of the arrest warrant.
DDNews will continue to monitor developments in this matter.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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