Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday warned that it may revoke the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore if he fails to appear at the next hearing in his trial over alleged defamatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar also said the court would issue a warrant for Mr Sowore’s arrest if he does not attend the next sitting.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over posts he made on X and Facebook in which he referred to the president as a criminal.
When the case was called on Thursday, neither Sowore nor any of his lawyers was in court.
Prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde told the court that the defence was expected to conclude cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
He said records from the court registry showed that a hearing notice was served on the defendant through his lawyers. He added that the prosecution was also served.
Counsel Kehinde said no reason was given for the absence of the defendant or his lawyers.
Citing Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the prosecution asked the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
In his ruling, Justice Umar said the court records showed that Sowore was served with a hearing notice through his lawyers.
The judge noted that the defendant had attended previous sittings since the trial began last year and said both sides had asked for adjournments in the past.
He said the court would give the defendant the benefit of the doubt since it was the first time he was absent.
Justice Umar warned that if Sowore fails to attend the next hearing, the court would revoke his bail and issue a warrant for his arrest.
The case was adjourned until March 16 for continuation of trial. The court also ordered that another hearing notice be served on the defence.
