TDHuman rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for 2027, Omoyele Sowore, has been ordered remanded to Kuje Prison by Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision followed Sowore’s absence from a single court sitting, which he explained was due to consultations with his newly appointed lead counsel, Olumide-Fusika, SAN.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore on charges of criminal defamation and alleged cybercrime for referring to President Bola Tinubu as ‘a criminal’ in posts on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
The case continues to attract significant public interest amid concerns over free speech and political expression in Nigeria.
Court Decision Sparks Outcry
Despite Olumide-Fusika’s formal notification to the court explaining Sowore’s absence, Justice Umar directed that the activist be remanded.
Sowore denounced the ruling as part of a “bogus case” and described the move as political persecution.
“Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that I be remanded in Kuje Prison for my one absence from court since the bogus case began, even though I was away consulting with my new legal team led by Olumide-Fusika, SAN,” Sowore wrote on X.
Sowore’s Defiant Response
Unfazed by the ruling, Sowore declared himself “least bothered” by imprisonment, insisting that detention has never defeated a just cause.
He urged Nigerians to remain resolute in the struggle for justice and democratic renewal.
“Imprisonment has never defeated a just cause, and it never will.
“I urge the Nigerian people and all our comrades to remain resolute, steadfast, and unyielding in the quest for a genuine revolution that will liberate our country from oppression, injustice, and misrule.
“The struggle continues. Victory is certain,” he stated.
Solidarity and Protest
Photos accompanying his post show Sowore surrounded by supporters raising clenched fists in solidarity.
Protesters were also seen holding placards with slogans such as #FreeSowore and “Revolution is not a crime.”
The incident has reignited debates over judicial independence, political persecution, and the treatment of opposition figures in Nigeria.
Background and Implications
Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters and leader of the #RevolutionNow movement, has faced repeated arrests and detentions since 2019.
His arrests are often linked to his outspoken criticism of government corruption and misrule.
His remand to Kuje Prison adds to a long list of confrontations with security agencies and the judiciary.
It further cements his image as one of Nigeria’s most resilient dissidents.
The case underscores the ongoing tension between Nigeria’s political establishment and opposition activists.
For Sowore, the remand order is another chapter in a protracted struggle.
However, his defiance signals that he intends to continue mobilizing supporters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
