The Department of State Services (DSS) escorts Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, into custody at the Abuja Federal High Court on Monday, according to multiple reports. The incident follows a decision by Justice Mohammed Umar to remand Sowore at Kuje Correctional Centre until Wednesday, after the judge revokes his bail. The reports describe commotion in the courtroom as heavily armed DSS operatives took custody of Sowore shortly after the remand order.
The DSS action is linked in the reporting to allegations regarding Sowore’s public statements. One cited reason is that the DSS claims Sowore referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal,” prompting the bail revocation. Earlier during the hearing, Justice Umar dismissed an application in which Sowore sought the judge’s withdrawal from the case. The defense argued that a previously cited absence that contributed to the decision to revoke bail was due to Sowore consulting with new lead counsel, Olumide-Fusika (SAN), who had briefed the court on the matter.
