ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned that it may revoke the bail granted to politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore if he fails to appear at the next hearing in his ongoing trial over alleged cyberstalking.
Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, issued the warning on Thursday, adding that the court could also issue a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest should he fail to attend the next sitting.
The judge’s position followed submissions by prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who informed the court that the defendant was absent despite evidence that hearing notice had been duly served on him through his team of lawyers.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as a criminal in posts on his social media platforms, including X and Facebook.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Sowore and his legal team, said to number about 30 lawyers, were absent from court.
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Reacting, the prosecuting lawyer said the matter was scheduled for the defence to conclude the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
Kehinde added that checks with the court registry confirmed that hearing notices had been properly served on the defendant through his lawyers, as well as on the prosecution.
He argued that there was no justification for Sowore’s absence, noting that the defendant was expected to be present in court at every sitting and had not offered any explanation for failing to attend alongside his legal team.
Citing Sections 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Kehinde urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his immediate arrest and production in court.
In his ruling, Justice Umar confirmed that Sowore had indeed been served with hearing notice through his lawyers.
However, the judge noted that the defendant had consistently attended previous sittings since the trial began late last year.
He also observed that earlier adjournments in the case had been requested by both the prosecution and the defence.
According to the judge, the defendant should be given the benefit of the doubt as it was the first time he had failed to appear for his trial.
Justice Umar, however, warned that if Sowore fails to attend the next hearing, the court would not hesitate to grant the prosecution’s request to revoke his bail and issue a warrant for his arrest.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until March 16 for continuation of trial and directed that fresh hearing notice be issued to the defence.