A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N200 million bail to African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over alleged defamation of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Muhammad Umar ruled on Tuesday that Sowore must provide two sureties — one a traditional ruler from his community and the other an Abuja property owner — both to be verified by the prosecution.
He also ordered Sowore to surrender his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court pending the determination of the case.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly making false claims against President Tinubu. The charge relates to social media posts on X and Facebook in which Sowore described the President as “a criminal”.
At the end of the proceedings on June 24,2026 the court fixed June 30, 2026 for the continuation of the matter, with expectations that arguments and pending applications may be further addressed when the case resumes.
The court had also revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore on self-recognition in December 2025 and ordered his remand in the Kuje Correctional Centre following his absence at the previous proceedings.
Justice Umar had dismissed Sowore’s ealier application seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on the ground of alleged bias.
He adjourned the matter until June 24,2026 for hearing of the application for stay.
The motion for stay was filed by the defendant’s new lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN in the ongoing criminal proceedings before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Embattled Sowore, also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, appeared at the court in company of members of his group with placards.
Justice Umar had, on June 16,2026 revoked a bail granted to Sowore following his failure to appear in court his trial.
