Sowore Rejects Black Maria, Insists on Regular Vehicle

Omoyele Sowore, the president of the African Action Congress and a human rights activist, successfully resisted an attempt by security officials to transport him to Kuje Prison in a Black Maria on Monday. This incident followed a remand order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sowore confronted the operatives of the Department of State Services, declaring that he would not be forced into a security detention vehicle and insisted on being transported in a regular vehicle. Eventually, the security officials conceded and transported him in a Toyota Hilux.

The situation escalated into a chaotic scene inside the courtroom, which was heavily guarded by armed security personnel. The presiding Justice Moham Umar ordered Sowore to be remanded in custody until Wednesday, June 24.

This remand was triggered by the revocation of Sowore's bail due to the absence of his defense team, which argued that legal consultation was necessary for his ongoing trial related to allegations of cyberstalking and defamation against President Bola Tinubu stemming from a social media post in August 2025.