Court Orders Sowore's Remand in Kuje Prison for Defamation

On June 16, 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Moham Garba Umar, ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), in Kuje Prison pending his trial for allegedly defaming President Bola Tinubu. The court dismissed Sowore's earlier application seeking the judge's recusal based on allegations against him.

Sowore's case has been adjourned until June 24, 2023, for the hearing of a motion filed by his new lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika. Sowore arrived at the court accompanied by members of his group, holding placards.

The court had previously revoked Sowore's bail due to his failure to appear for trial, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).