Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights activist and two-time presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has vehemently accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration of orchestrating politically motivated prosecutions. Sowore contends that these legal actions are deliberately designed to secure his conviction, thereby disqualifying him from contesting the 2027 presidential election. He articulated these allegations to journalists in Abuja, shortly before appearing in court for two separate cases.

Sowore specifically alleged that the Federal Government, prosecutors, and the trial judge in one of his cases had predetermined a conviction against him. "They want to convict me at all costs so that I will be disqualified from contesting election because if you have a criminal record or have been convicted, that is what this is all about," he stated. He further claimed bias in the proceedings before Justice M.G. Umar, citing the judge's conduct, which included an incident where his lawyer was allegedly asked to kneel in court. This alleged mistreatment led Sowore to express a profound loss of confidence in the court, asserting that judicial officers should recuse themselves when a defendant doubts their ability to receive a fair hearing.

On a particular Friday, Sowore faced two distinct legal challenges. One case was before a Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja, where he and 13 others were charged in connection with a protest demanding the release of detained separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The second, more contentious matter, was the cyberbullying trial before Justice M.G. Umar, where Sowore is accused of falsely calling President Tinubu "a criminal" via his social media accounts. He openly stated his belief that Justice Umar was "determined to convict" him over these remarks.

The cyberbullying trial has been marked by significant procedural disputes and courtroom tension. Following the court's dismissal of Sowore's "no-case submission," which asserted that insufficient evidence existed to warrant a defence, Justice Umar ordered him to open his defence. However, Sowore steadfastly refused to enter a defence, instead insisting on the judge's recusal. He subsequently informed the court that his legal team was "afraid to appear before you because of the humiliation they suffer before this court," leading him to represent himself.

Sowore filed a formal application for Justice Umar to recuse himself, citing sections 36 (1), (5), and (6) of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that the case file should be reassigned to another judge. This application followed an earlier request to the Chief Judge for reassignment, which was denied with a directive for Justice Umar to continue hearing the case. The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), described Sowore's application as an "abuse of the court process" intended to "annoy and irritate the court," urging its refusal.

Despite the prosecution's objections and the judge's initial order for daily hearings, Justice Umar granted Sowore time to prepare his defence while considering the recusal application. The judge scheduled a ruling on the recusal application for a later date, noting that if successful, he would step aside. Sowore reaffirmed his commitment to activism and political engagement, declaring that "The struggle for liberation cannot be stopped. No amount of intimidation, harassment, or judicial persecution can silence the demand for justice and freedom." He has historically accused successive governments of using state institutions to suppress dissent and opposition.