The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 30, 2026, to rule on an application by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore seeking the reinstatement of his bail and the nullification of a bench warrant issued against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar set the date on Wednesday after lawyers for both parties adopted their court processes.

Sowore’s bail was revoked on June 16 after he failed to appear before the court for his trial on charges of cybercrime and criminal defamation. The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting him over allegations that he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts shared on his X and Facebook accounts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On Monday, the court ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

At the resumed proceedings, defence counsel R.O. Adakole, alongside C.S. Etonyeaku, who held the brief of Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), informed the court that the defendant had filed a motion seeking 12 reliefs, including the setting aside of the June 16 order revoking his bail, the withdrawal of the bench warrant, and the restoration of his previous bail conditions.

The defence relied on affidavits and written submissions already filed before the court and urged Justice Umar to grant the application in the interest of justice.

However, prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) opposed the request, arguing that Sowore had failed to place sufficient and truthful facts before the court to warrant the exercise of its discretion in his favour.

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

Shortly after the adjournment, the defence made an oral application requesting that Sowore be released into the custody of his legal team pending the ruling, assuring the court that he would be produced on the next adjourned date.

The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that such an application should be formally filed to allow the government an opportunity to respond.

The defence maintained that the request fell within the court’s discretionary powers and disclosed that Sowore was reportedly experiencing health challenges.

Justice Umar, however, declined the application, stating that granting the request would defeat the purpose of adjourning the matter to prepare his ruling. He noted that he had yet to fully consider all the processes filed by both sides.

The judge subsequently ordered that Sowore remain in custody pending the delivery of the ruling on June 30.