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Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja pending the continuation of his trial on Wednesday.
The order was issued on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following the revocation of Sowore’s bail last week.
Before ordering his remand, the court dismissed an application filed by Sowore seeking the recusal of Justice Umar from the case. The activist had argued that the judge should step aside over concerns regarding impartiality in the proceedings arising from charges linked to comments in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Sowore is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the remarks, allegations he has consistently denied.
Earlier this month, the activist renewed his call for the judge to withdraw from the case, claiming he was compelled to represent himself after members of his legal team reportedly declined to continue appearing before the court, citing what they described as hostile treatment during proceedings.
In a statement posted on his X account after Monday’s hearing, Sowore disclosed that he personally moved a fresh application requesting the judge’s recusal.
He stated that his lawyers had withdrawn from the matter due to concerns about the conduct of proceedings, leaving him with no option but to represent himself.
According to Sowore, efforts to have the case reassigned through the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court were unsuccessful.
“We had complained to the court that lawyers were mistreated by the judge and we applied to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the case file, but the request was declined,” he said.
Sowore further maintained that if the judge refuses to step aside, the trial will proceed under circumstances he described as increasingly contentious.
The case has witnessed several tense courtroom exchanges in recent months, with disagreements between counsel and the bench resulting in adjournments and disputes over procedural issues.
Meanwhile, supporters of the activist staged a protest outside the Federal High Court on Monday, demanding the restoration of his bail and calling for Justice Umar’s withdrawal from the case.
The demonstrators described the revocation of Sowore’s bail on June 16, 2026, as unfair and politically motivated, insisting that the activist was being subjected to persecution.
Chanting “Free Sowore Now,” the protesters urged the court to grant his immediate release as the trial continues.
