AAC, Activist Condemn Bench Warrant Against Sowore

The African Action Congress (AAC) has stated that human rights activist and its former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, remains unfazed after a Federal High Court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The order was issued by Justice Mohammed Umar following Sowore’s absence during a scheduled court proceeding. The prosecution counsel, Akinkolu Kehinde (SAN), had made an oral application for the warrant, which the judge granted.

Sowore is currently facing trial on cyberbullying charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding public statements made against President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during an interactive online session, AAC National Secretary Oshiokhue Philip stated that Sowore was neither moved nor bothered by the court’s directive.

Philip emphasized that the political party views the legal escalation not merely as an individual challenge for Sowore, but as part of a broader resistance against the oppression of citizens by state actors. He added that the party is organizing a series of peaceful actions to contest the development.

The court’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from prominent human rights circles. Abuja-based defense attorney and activist Deji Adeyanju condemned the revocation of bail, labeling the judicial response as disproportionate to the circumstances.

Adeyanju pointed out that Sowore had consistently appeared in court, including on the previous adjourned date when the court itself failed to sit, and had even submitted a written request seeking an adjournment for the missed session. Furthermore, the activist noted that Sowore currently has no legal counsel formally on record representing him in the matter.

Legal analysts note that Sowore was originally granted bail on self-recognizance and has historically complied with court dates during far more severe legal proceedings, including prior treasonable felony charges. Critics argue that treating him as a flight risk over the current cyberbullying charges undermines the constitutional presumption of innocence.

Activists have called on the federal government and the leadership of the DSS to withdraw the charges entirely to avoid further damage to the administration’s human rights record.