The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday threatened to revoke the bail of Omoyele Sowore, publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, after he failed to appear for his ongoing trial on charges of defaming President Bola Tinubu. Justice Mohammed Umar also indicated he would issue a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest if he absconds again.
The threat followed an application by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, counsel for the State Security Service (SSS), which is prosecuting the case. Kehinde informed the court that Sowore did not attend despite proof that a hearing notice was formally served on his legal team. He noted that neither Sowore nor any of his estimated 30 lawyers were present, offering no explanation for their collective absence. Arguing under Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecutor requested the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a warrant for his immediate production.
Justice Umar confirmed that Sowore was properly served through his lawyers. However, the judge noted that this was the defendant’s first non-appearance since the trial commenced in late 2023, and that previous adjournments had been mutually agreed upon by both prosecution and defence. Ruling, Justice Umar stated he would give Sowore the “benefit of the doubt” this time but warned that any future default would result in the immediate grant of the prosecution’s requests for bail revocation and an arrest warrant. The matter was adjourned until March 16 for continuation of the trial, with an order for a fresh hearing notice to be served on the defence.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and vocal government critic, is charged with criminal defamation for allegedly referring to President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts. The case has drawn attention to press freedom and the use of the justice system against critical media voices in Nigeria. The court’s warning underscores the strict conditions attached to his bail and the high stakes of the proceedings, which will resume with the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
