The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand activist Omoyele Sowore for allegedly failing to meet the conditions of his fresh N200 million bail in a criminal defamation case against President Bola Tinubu

The Federal Government on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Correctional Centre for failing to perfect the conditions of his fresh N200 million bail granted on 30 June.

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Sowore is standing trial on charges of criminal defamation over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”

Justice Mohammed Umar had revoked Sowore’s earlier bail and admitted him to fresh bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties, including a traditional ruler from his community and another with landed property in the Federal Capital Territory.

The court also ordered the deposit of his international passport.

Pending fulfilment of the conditions, the judge had released him to his lawyer.

Lead prosecutor Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) informed the court that Sowore had not complied with the bail terms, including the deposit of his passport, and urged Justice Umar to order his remand.

“The law is trite, no sentiment,” Kehinde argued, stressing that court orders must be obeyed.

Sowore’s counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), countered that bail is meant to secure attendance and not to punish the defendant.

He explained that verification of documents was substantially complete and that the passport deposit had been delayed due to the United States Embassy in Lagos observing a public holiday for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Fusika assured the court that all conditions would be met before the close of work on Monday.

Justice Umar declined the prosecution’s application for remand and allowed Sowore to remain in the custody of his counsel.

Sowore then opened his defence, calling Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju as his first witness.

Adeyanju testified that President Tinubu had publicly stated during an engagement in Benue State that Nigerians have the right to criticise, insult, and call him names as part of democratic freedoms.

The witness also noted the President’s remarks on the judiciary’s role as a guardian of the public rather than an instrument of oppression.

Video recordings of the President’s comments were tendered and admitted in evidence.