The Federal High Court has warned that it may revoke the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, over his absence in court during his ongoing trial over alleged defamatory remarks against Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning while presiding over the case in Abuja, stating that an arrest warrant could be issued for Sowore’s forceful production if he fails to appear in court on the next adjourned date.
The judge’s remark followed an application by prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, who is representing the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kehinde told the court that the defendant failed to attend proceedings despite evidence that a hearing notice had been served on him through his legal team.
According to the prosecutor, the defence was expected to conclude cross-examination of the first prosecution witness when the case was called.
However, neither Sowore nor any of his lawyers was present in court.
Kehinde informed the court that the registry confirmed that the hearing notice had been duly served on the defendant through his lawyers, just as the prosecution was also served.
He added that no explanation had been given for the defendant’s absence.
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The senior lawyer further noted that Sowore’s legal team comprises about 30 lawyers, yet none appeared in court or offered reasons for their absence.
He therefore urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest in line with Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
In his ruling, Justice Umar confirmed that the defendant had been duly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers.
However, the judge noted that Sowore had consistently attended court sessions since the trial commenced late last year.
The court also observed that previous adjournments in the case were granted at the request of both the prosecution and the defence.
Based on this, the judge said the defendant should be given the benefit of the doubt since it was his first absence.
Justice Umar warned, however, that if Sowore fails to appear at the next hearing, the court would grant the prosecution’s request to revoke his bail and issue a warrant for his arrest.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until March 16 for continuation of trial, with the court directing that another hearing notice be served on the defence.
