By The Metro 
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, will remain in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre after the Federal High Court in Abuja postponed a decision on his application seeking the restoration of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar on Wednesday fixed June 30, 2026, to rule on the application, extending Sowore’s stay in custody pending the court’s decision.
The activist is challenging the court’s June 16 order revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in his trial over alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal”. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Sowore’s counsel, R.O. Adakole, alongside C.S. Etonyeaku, appearing for Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to set aside the earlier orders and restore the defendant’s bail.
The defence also sought Sowore’s release to his legal team pending the ruling, arguing that he had consistently attended proceedings since the trial began and would be produced in court on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed both requests and urged the court to reject the application.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar reserved ruling until June 30 and declined the request for Sowore’s temporary release, ordering that he be returned to custody.
Sowore has remained in detention since the court controversially revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant after he failed to appear for a scheduled proceeding.
During the hearing, Kehinde argued that the activist was absent without explanation and urged the court to revoke his bail.