The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, restored the bail of activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after granting his fresh application for release pending trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar admitted Sowore to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties.
The court directed that one surety must be a traditional ruler from his community, while the other must own landed property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Sowore was also ordered to surrender his international passport to the court registrar.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore on a five-count charge of alleged cybercrime arising from social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.” He has pleaded not guilty.
READ ALSO: Protesters Storm Abuja Court, Demand Sowore’s Immediate Release
Sowore was first granted bail on self-recognisance on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, following his arraignment. The court warned him against making statements capable of inciting the public while the case was pending.
Justice Umar revoked the bail on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, after Sowore failed to appear for trial and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Although Sowore had sought an adjournment, citing a prior engagement in Lagos, the prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, argued that the absence was intended to delay proceedings.
When Sowore appeared in court on Monday, June 22, 2026, his application seeking the judge’s recusal was dismissed, and he was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his fresh bail request.
Ruling on Tuesday, Justice Umar granted the renewed application, restoring Sowore’s bail subject to compliance with the new conditions.