Oyo AAC criticizes court for taking Sowore's bail

The Oyo State chapter of the African Action Congress has criticized the Federal High Court in Abuja for taking away the bail of its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. The party called this action a political attack.

Justice Muhammad Umar of the Federal High Court revoked Sowore's bail and ordered his arrest after he did not show up in court for his trial on alleged cybercrime charges.

In a statement signed by the Oyo State AAC Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, and shared with PUNCH Online on Friday, the party claimed the judge intentionally set the hearing for a date when Sowore would not be there.

The party noted that Sowore had been in court on June 15, the earlier date for the hearing, but the judge did not hold court that day.

"The facts are clear: Sowore appeared in court on June 15, the date earlier set for hearing, only for the judge not to sit without notice or explanation.

"Sowore wrote to the registrar asking for new dates between July 2 and July 13, as well as September, because he had a trip to Lagos. Justice Umar ignored that letter and set the next hearing for June 16, after learning that Sowore would be out of town," the statement said.

The AAC argued that the court acted unfairly by taking away Sowore’s bail even though he was in court the day before.

"With Sowore unable to attend, the judge wasted no time in revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant, despite seeing him in court the previous day in a viral video.

"This is not justice. This is persecution. This is another move to block the campaign of our presidential candidate and silence the voice of the people after seeing his rising popularity across the country," the party added.

The AAC warned that it would fight against what it sees as the judiciary being used to silence opposing voices.

"We warn the government and the judiciary that the African Action Congress, Oyo State Chapter, together with the Nigerian people, will resist this lawfare and persecution of Omoyele Sowore.

"Nigerians have taken to social media to support Sowore due to his frequent court cases from the state and wealthy individuals. That support will turn into resistance against any effort to use the courts for political oppression," the statement read.

The party also stressed that Sowore is determined to clear his name in court.

"Even though we do not expect fairness from our courts, we will keep fighting for justice and we will never avoid the courtrooms.

"Sowore and other candidates must be allowed to campaign freely," it added.

This situation came after Justice Umar decided to revoke Sowore's bail when he and his lawyer did not show up for the continuation of his defense in a case brought by the Department of State Services.

The judge then issued a bench warrant for his arrest and postponed the matter to June 22.