The Department of State Services (DSS) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to order the remand of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over his failure to meet the conditions attached to the bail granted him.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the DSS on allegations of criminal defamation following claims that he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts published on his verified X and Facebook accounts.
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that Sowore had yet to fulfil the fresh bail conditions granted on June 30 and urged the court to return him to custody until the requirements are met.
Kehinde said: “We urge your lordship to make a necessary order for the remand of the defendant until the bail conditions are met,” noting that the who was released to a lawyer that appeared for him on June 30 pending when he filled the bail terms, was yet to meet the conditions.
He argued that the court’s order could not be toyed with and adding that such an order is not made in vain.
Responding, defence lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) urged the court to exercise patience because the defendant was in the process of complying with the bail terms.
Olumide-Fusika said: “It is incorrect that the conditions have not been met. When you meet bail conditions, the verification will have to be made by the court and this is ongoing, my Lord.”
After listening to both lawyers on the issue, Justice Mohammed Umar said although he had signed Sowore’s release order on the last adjourned date, he would wait until the close of work on Monday to see the steps the defendant has taken so far, before making any order in relation to his remand.
Sowore opened his defendy on Monday by calling his first witness, Deji Adeyanju, an Abuja-based lawyer.