Jun 16, 2026

Court Orders Arrest of Presidential Candidate Sowore for Trial No-Show

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria — June 16, 2026 - The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Omoyele Sowore, the prominent activist, publisher, and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), after he failed to appear for his ongoing cyberstalking trial.

The bench warrant, issued by Justice Mohammed Umar on Tuesday, marks a sharp escalation in a case that has already been marked by procedural disputes, claims of judicial bias, and questions over legal representation.

Sowore, who has been on bail, did not attend the resumed proceedings despite prior court directives.

He reportedly sent a letter to the court explaining that he had traveled to Lagos to secure new counsel.

His previous legal team had withdrawn or expressed reluctance to continue, citing what they described as humiliating treatment in court, including an alleged incident in which a lawyer was ordered to kneel.

Sowore has previously filed applications seeking the recusal of Justice Umar on grounds of perceived bias and requested that the matter be reassigned by the Chief Judge.

The charges against Sowore stem from social media posts he made in August 2025 in which he described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting the case, alleging that the statements amounted to cyberstalking and related cybercrime offences under Nigerian law.

Earlier in the trial, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defence, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case warranting a defence.

The development comes against the backdrop of a long and contentious legal relationship between Sowore and successive Nigerian governments.

The founder of Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions, most notably the 2019 treason charges that drew widespread domestic and international condemnation.

Supporters argue that the current proceedings form part of a pattern of using the legal system to silence vocal critics, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. One social media reaction to the warrant captured this sentiment:

“He didn’t do anything, when did they start to deprive us of freedom of speech.”

Critics of Sowore, however, maintain that no citizen, however politically prominent, is above the law and that repeated failure to appear in court undermines the authority of the judiciary.

The court’s decision to issue a warrant rather than continue granting adjournments reflects its insistence on compliance with procedural rules, even in politically sensitive matters.

Legal observers note that the case highlights broader tensions in Nigeria’s justice system: the right to effective legal representation, the perception of judicial bias in high-profile political trials, and the balance between protecting public officials from alleged defamation and safeguarding freedom of expression.

Sowore’s decision to represent himself temporarily, pending reconstitution of his legal team, adds another layer of complexity to proceedings already strained by mutual accusations of bad faith.

The activist is frequently photographed in his signature orange RevolutionNow beret, a symbol of his uncompromising stance on systemic reform.

Tuesday’s order risks further polarising public opinion at a time when trust in institutions remains fragile. As of press time, it remained unclear whether security operatives had moved to execute the warrant.

The ruling underscores a recurring dilemma in Nigeria’s democracy: how to enforce accountability and court orders without appearing to weaponize the judiciary against dissent.

Whether the arrest warrant leads to Sowore’s immediate detention or triggers fresh legal manoeuvres remains to be seen.

What is certain is that the case will continue to test the boundaries of political expression, judicial independence, and the rule of law in Africa’s largest democracy.