The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate remand of human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, directing that he be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending continuation of his trial.

Sowore is expected to remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when proceedings in the case are scheduled to resume.

The order follows a two-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accuses him of cyberstalking and criminal defamation over a social media post in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” following comments made during a trip to Brazil.

According to court records, the post was made in August 2025 on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, and Sowore reportedly refused to delete it despite demands from security authorities, insisting on his right to free speech.

The case has moved through several legal stages in recent months. In May 2026, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the DSS had established a prima facie case, allowing the trial to proceed and requiring Sowore to open his defence.

Tensions escalated on June 5, when the court ordered daily hearing sessions. Sowore’s legal team subsequently withdrew from the case, citing alleged humiliation in court. The activist then chose to represent himself and filed a motion accusing the judge of bias.

On June 16, Sowore failed to appear for a scheduled continuation of his defence. Prosecutors described the absence as a delay tactic, prompting the court to revoke his self-recognition bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

By June 22, Justice Umar dismissed Sowore’s application seeking the judge’s disqualification over alleged bias and ordered his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre.

The prosecution is relying on provisions of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, arguing that Sowore’s online statements were knowingly false and capable of inciting public disorder. Sowore, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His legal position also includes claims that he attended a previous court session on June 15, only to find the judge absent, and that he later informed the court registry of his travel schedule—arguments the court did not accept when issuing the arrest warrant.

With the latest ruling, the case is set to continue mid-week, while Sowore remains in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre.