A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has postponed its ruling on an application filed by rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail to June 30.
The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, on Wednesday, June 24, adjourned the case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) against Sowore over alleged description of President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”
During the proceeding, Sowore’s Counsel, R.O. Adakole, representing the Lead Counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to grant temporary relief by releasing the activist to his legal team, pending a decision on the bail application.
The defence stated that Sowore has consistently honoured court invitations and has never violated the conditions of his bail since the case began, urging the court to allow him remain in the custody of his legal representatives while awaiting the ruling.
Justice Umar, however, declined the request, holding that he needed to thoroughly review the affidavits and legal submissions already before the court before making any decision.
The Judge maintained his position and refused to approve temporary release, despite repeated appeals from the defence Counsel.
Recall that Justice Umar had earlier on June 16, revoked Sowore’s bail and ordered the issuance of a bench warrant after he failed to appear for a scheduled court proceeding.
The case had been set for a ruling on Sowore’s application asking the Judge to discharge himself from the case over alleged bias, saying he no longer believed he could receive a fair hearing before the trial Judge.
Although Sowore was present in court on June 15, proceedings did not hold due to the Judge’s absence and court officials later directed all parties to return the following day.
Through a letter dated June 15, Sowore requested an adjournment and asked that the matter be rescheduled for dates in July or September, but when the case resumed on June 16, counsel for the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, informed the court that the defendant was absent, urging the Judge to revoke his bail.
During one of the past hearings, Justice Umar had during cross-examination of a DSS official, ordered human rights lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, to kneel before the court, an action that attracted criticism from lawyers and civil society groups, who described the action as degrading and an abuse of judicial authority.
