The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday revoked the bail it granted Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, over his absence from a cyberbullying trial. Trial judge, Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on an oral application made by the prosecutor, Akinkolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Details of the Court Ruling
The court's decision came after Sowore failed to appear for his trial on cyberbullying charges. The prosecution argued that his absence was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the proceedings. Justice Umar agreed, stating that the defendant's conduct amounted to a disregard for the court's authority.
Background of the Case
Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and journalist, has been facing charges related to alleged cyberbullying. He was initially granted bail but failed to comply with the conditions, leading to the revocation. The case has drawn significant attention due to Sowore's history of government criticism and previous arrests.
Implications of the Arrest Warrant
The bench warrant authorizes law enforcement agencies to arrest Sowore anywhere in Nigeria and bring him before the court. This development escalates the legal battle between the activist and the authorities. Sowore's legal team has yet to comment on the ruling.
This article is based on a report by Legit.ng, authored by Ezra Ukanwa, a Reuters-certified journalist and Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Anchor University, Lagos, and has over five years of professional experience.
