Political Firestorm: Sowore's Fate Unclear Amidst Courtroom Chaos and DSS Remand
Activist Omoyele Sowore is at the center of a cybercrime trial, with the DSS denying responsibility for his court-ordered remand. The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule on June 30, 2026, on Sowore's application to restore his bail and challenge his remand, following protests and allegations of restricted court access by security operatives.
Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore is currently embroiled in a high-profile cybercrime trial initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria. The case stems from social media posts made on August 25, 2025, where Sowore allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” on his official X and Facebook accounts, following comments attributed to the President during a visit to Brazil. These remarks formed the basis for charges filed by the DSS under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025.
The DSS has consistently denied responsibility for Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Custodial Centre, stating that the decision was entirely an outcome of court proceedings. According to statements signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the agency neither arrested Sowore nor opposed his initial bail application, which was granted on self-recognition at the start of the trial in December 2025. The DSS explained its approach, noting that it had first requested a retraction from Sowore in a letter dated September 4, 2025, before resorting to legal action, consistent with its policy of seeking redress through dialogue or the courts. The Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi (earlier identified as Tosin Ajayi), has also ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives seen in videos recorded at the Federal High Court premises on June 22, 2026, amidst public concerns over scuffles involving Sowore, an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service, and DSS personnel.
The trial has seen several critical developments. On May 13, 2026, the Federal High Court dismissed Sowore’s no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence. Sowore subsequently filed an application asking Justice Mohammed Umar to withdraw from the case, citing alleged bias. A ruling on this application was initially fixed for June 15, 2026. Although Sowore appeared in court on June 15, the court did not sit. According to the defence, Sowore informed court officials he would travel to Lagos and requested a new hearing date in July. However, the matter was rescheduled for June 16, 2026. When Sowore failed to appear on this date, the court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
On Monday, June 22, 2026, Sowore appeared in court. The judge dismissed his application seeking recusal and ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. This decision sparked significant public reaction, with supporters gathering outside the Federal High Court, chanting “Free Sowore” and barricading the gate. Political and civil society groups, including Amnesty International Nigeria and the African Action Congress (AAC), criticized the bail revocation as unfair and politically motivated, raising concerns about due process and freedom of expression.
A chaotic standoff further erupted outside the Federal High Court on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when DSS operatives were accused of blocking Sowore’s legal representatives and key associates, including AAC National Secretary Oshiok Philip, from accessing the courtroom. Philip vocally confronted the armed operatives, accusing the secret police of unconstitutional conduct and undermining democratic norms by restricting movement and preventing legal counsel entry.
During court proceedings on June 24, 2026, Sowore's legal team, led by R.O. Adakole, holding brief for Adeyinka Oloyede-Fusika (SAN), moved an application seeking the restoration of his bail and a stay (suspension) of the execution of the bail revocation and bench warrant. The defence adopted a motion on notice dated June 17 and filed on June 19, along with a 25-paragraph affidavit, urging the court to “restore the status quo that existed before June 16” in the interest of justice. The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, submitting a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and arguing that Sowore had not presented sufficient and truthful facts to warrant the court’s discretion. The defence also orally requested Sowore’s release to his lawyers pending the ruling, with an undertaking to produce him in court. However, Justice Umar declined, questioning whether such a release would amount to pre-determining the substantive application. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter until June 30, 2026, for a ruling on Sowore’s application for bail restoration and stay of remand.