The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned that it may revoke the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore if he fails to appear at the next hearing in his ongoing trial over alleged defamatory remarks about Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning on Thursday after Sowore and his legal team were absent when the case was called. The judge said an arrest warrant could be issued to compel the defendant’s appearance if he fails to attend the next adjourned date.
The caution followed an application by the Department of State Services’ counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who argued that Sowore deliberately stayed away despite being served a hearing notice through his lawyers.
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over a social media post in which he allegedly described the president as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
When proceedings began, neither Sowore nor any member of his legal team was present. Kehinde told the court the day’s session was meant for the defence to conclude cross-examining the first prosecution witness. He said court records confirmed that hearing notices were properly served on the defendant through his lawyers, as well as on the prosecution.
The senior lawyer noted that no explanation had been provided for Sowore’s absence, adding that none of his lawyers—said to number about 30—appeared in court.
Citing Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Kehinde urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
In his ruling, Justice Umar acknowledged that Sowore had been duly notified of the hearing but noted that he had consistently attended previous sessions since the trial began late last year. The judge also observed that earlier adjournments had been requested by both the prosecution and the defence.
He said the defendant would be given the benefit of the doubt because it was his first absence. However, the judge warned that failure to attend the next hearing would lead to the revocation of bail and the issuance of an arrest warrant.
The case was adjourned until March 16 for continuation of trial, with the court directing that another hearing notice be served on the defence.
