The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate remand of human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the continuation of his trial on cybercrime-related charges.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Monday following developments in the ongoing case between the activist and the Federal Government. The court fixed June 24, 2026, for the resumption of proceedings.

Sowore is facing a two-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accuses him of cyberstalking and criminal defamation over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The charges stem from comments Sowore made in August 2025 on social media platforms X and Facebook following remarks attributed to President Tinubu during an official trip to Brazil. The activist maintained the statements were protected under his constitutional right to freedom of expression and reportedly declined requests by security agencies to remove the posts.

The case has generated considerable public interest, drawing attention from civil society organisations, legal observers and political stakeholders due to its implications for free speech, digital expression and the enforcement of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.

Legal proceedings took a significant turn in May 2026 when Justice Umar dismissed an application seeking to terminate the case. The court held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, requiring Sowore to enter a defence against the allegations.

The relationship between the defendant and the court became increasingly strained in the weeks that followed. Earlier this month, Sowore’s legal team withdrew from the matter after expressing concerns about the conduct of proceedings. Following their withdrawal, the activist opted to represent himself and subsequently filed a motion seeking the judge’s disqualification, alleging bias.

The motion was formally dismissed on Monday, with the court finding no sufficient grounds to warrant the judge’s withdrawal from the case.

The remand order followed a bench warrant previously issued by the court after Sowore failed to appear for a scheduled continuation of his defence. Prosecutors argued that his absence constituted an attempt to delay proceedings and sought stricter measures to ensure his attendance.

Sowore, however, rejected the allegation, insisting that he had appeared at the court premises during an earlier sitting only to discover that the judge was unavailable. He maintained that he had not deliberately attempted to frustrate the judicial process.

As a result of the absence and the ensuing dispute, the court revoked the self-recognition bail earlier granted to him and authorised his arrest.

The Federal Government’s case is anchored on provisions of Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024. Prosecutors contend that the social media publications were knowingly false and capable of causing public unrest and reputational harm.

Sowore has consistently pleaded not guilty to the charges and insists that his comments were political opinions protected by democratic principles and constitutional guarantees of free expression.

The activist, publisher and former presidential candidate has long been known for his criticism of successive governments and his involvement in campaigns focused on accountability, governance reforms and civil liberties. His legal battles have frequently attracted national and international attention, particularly among rights groups monitoring press freedom and political expression in Nigeria.

With proceedings set to resume on June 24, attention will now focus on the next phase of the trial and whether the court will proceed with hearing Sowore’s defence against the allegations brought by the DSS.