The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 30 to deliver its ruling on an application filed by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, seeking to set aside the revocation of his bail and the bench warrant issued for his arrest.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date after hearing arguments from Sowore’s counsel, Raphael Adakole, and counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN).

Adakole informed the court that the defence had filed a motion on notice dated June 17 and submitted on June 19, seeking an order vacating the court’s June 16 decision revoking Sowore’s bail due to his absence in court. The application also requested the restoration of the status quo that existed before the order was made.

According to the defence, the application is supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit and further affidavits filed in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit. Adakole urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice and discountenance the prosecution’s response.

Opposing the application, Kehinde argued that the DSS had filed a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address urging the court to reject the request. He maintained that Sowore had failed to present truthful facts capable of persuading the court to exercise its discretion in his favour.

After hearing both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.

Following the adjournment, Adakole made an oral request for Sowore’s release into his custody, undertaking to produce him in court on the next adjourned date. The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that such an application could not be made orally.

The judge declined the request, noting that granting it would amount to determining the substantive application before delivering his ruling.

Justice Umar had earlier ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his application challenging the revocation of his bail. The court also dismissed an earlier application by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal over allegations of bias.

Sowore’s bail was revoked on June 16 after he failed to appear in court for his trial. The DSS is prosecuting him over alleged false claims made against President Bola Tinubu on his X and Facebook accounts.