Court Warns Sowore: Bail at Risk Over Absence in Tinubu Defamation Trial
The Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned that it may revoke the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, following his failure to appear in court during his ongoing trial on alleged defamatory statements against former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, warned that a bench warrant could be issued for Sowore’s arrest if he fails to attend the next sitting. The warning came after prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, representing the Department of State Services (DSS), applied for the revocation of bail, citing Sowore’s absence despite proof that a hearing notice had been served on his legal team.
Kehinde noted that the defence was scheduled to conclude cross‑examination of the first prosecution witness but neither Sowore nor any of his lawyers—said to number about 30—were present or offered any explanation. He urged the court to act under Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act by revoking bail and ordering Sowore’s arrest.
In response, Justice Umar acknowledged that the defendant had been duly served but observed that Sowore had consistently attended proceedings since the trial began last year. The court further noted that adjournments had previously been granted at the request of both parties. On that basis, the judge granted Sowore the benefit of the doubt, stressing that this was his first absence.
Justice Umar, however, warned that failure to appear at the next hearing would lead to bail revocation and the issuance of a warrant of arrest. The matter was adjourned to March 16 for continuation of trial, with fresh hearing notices ordered to be served on the defence.
