The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday threatened to revoke the bail granted to politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in his ongoing trial over alleged cybercrime offences.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning after Sowore and his legal team failed to appear in court for the scheduled hearing.
The judge also warned that he would issue a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest if he fails to attend the next sitting of the court.
The development followed an application by the prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who informed the court that Sowore had been duly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers but still failed to attend the proceedings.
Sowore is currently being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as a criminal in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
At Thursday’s hearing, neither Sowore nor any of his lawyers, said to be about 30 in number, was present in court.
Kehinde told the court that the day’s proceedings were meant for the defence to conclude its cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
According to him, confirmation from the court’s registry showed that a hearing notice had been served on the defendant through his lawyers.
The prosecuting lawyer questioned the absence of the defendant and his counsel, noting that no explanation had been provided to the court.
Citing Sections 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Kehinde urged the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest to compel his appearance in court.
In his ruling, Justice Umar acknowledged that the defendant had been properly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers.
However, the judge noted that Sowore had consistently attended court proceedings since the trial commenced late last year.
He also observed that previous adjournments in the case were occasioned by both the prosecution and the defence.
Justice Umar said the defendant would be given the benefit of the doubt since it was the first time he had been absent from court.
The judge, however, warned that failure to appear at the next hearing would attract serious consequences.
He said the court would not hesitate to grant the prosecution’s request to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue an arrest warrant for his production in court if he fails to attend the next sitting.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until March 16 for continuation of trial and directed that a fresh hearing notice be issued to the defence.
