A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned Nigerian activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore that his bail will be revoked if he makes further public comments deemed harmful to national peace and security.
The caution was issued on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Umar while ruling on Sowore’s bail application following his arraignment by the Department of State Services (DSS). The judge said Sowore, a former presidential candidate, qualified for bail on self-recognition, particularly as his passport remains in the court’s custody.
Sowore is facing a five-count charge filed by the DSS, which accuses him of falsely describing President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts. X Inc. and Meta Platforms were also joined in the suit as second and third defendants.
Before entering his plea, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competence of the charge, citing a preliminary objection served moments before the proceedings. DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, countered that the defence was attempting to delay the case, arguing—on the basis of Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)—that no application could be heard before arraignment.
Justice Umar upheld the prosecution’s argument and ordered the arraignment to proceed. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Abubakar later urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, describing his client as a responsible citizen who recently became chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC). However, Kehinde opposed the application, insisting that Sowore had previously breached court orders and had failed to demonstrate that he would refrain from repeating the alleged offence.
In his ruling, Justice Umar granted bail on self-recognition but barred Sowore from issuing statements that might endanger national unity. The judge warned that the bail would be revoked if the order was violated.
The case was adjourned until 19 January 2026 for trial.
