AbujaThe Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned ruling on an application seeking the restoration of bail for activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, until June 30, even as the Department of State Services (DSS) defended its prosecution of the former presidential candidate and ordered an investigation into the courtroom incident that followed his remand.

Sowore, who was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre on Monday, will remain in custody pending the court’s ruling on his application.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed June 30 for ruling after hearing arguments from Sowore’s legal team in the trial brought against him by the DSS over alleged cybercrime and defamatory social media posts against President Bola Tinubu.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, R.O. Adakole, who appeared for lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to release the defendant to his lawyers pending the determination of the application seeking the restoration of his bail.

The defence argued that Sowore had consistently attended court proceedings since the commencement of the trial and had not jumped bail. It therefore asked the court to exercise its discretion in his favour and release him pending a ruling on the application.

Justice Umar, however, declined the request, saying he needed time to study the affidavits and processes filed by both parties before delivering a ruling. He subsequently adjourned the matter to June 30.

Sowore was remanded on June 22 after the court ordered that he be kept in custody pending the hearing of his application to set aside the revocation of his bail and the bench warrant earlier issued against him.

The court had on June 16 revoked Sowore’s bail after the prosecution, led by DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the defendant failed to appear for trial. Justice Umar had also dismissed an application by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on grounds of alleged bias.

Amid public reactions to Sowore’s remand and the drama that followed in court, the DSS on Tuesday issued a statement defending its actions and insisting that the issues leading to his remand arose from court proceedings rather than any action by the Service.

In the statement signed by its Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said it had noted concerns over the events at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22, especially the altercation involving Sowore, an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and DSS operatives.

The agency disclosed that its Director-General had ordered an immediate investigation into the conduct of operatives involved in the incident.

“Of more concern is the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of the Custodial Centre and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service,” the statement said.

The DSS, however, maintained that Sowore’s trial stemmed from a post he made on his personal X and Facebook accounts on August 25, 2025, in which he allegedly described President Tinubu in disparaging terms.

According to the Service, rather than arrest Sowore immediately, it wrote him on September 4, 2025, demanding a retraction within one week. It said the move was in line with the policy of the current DSS leadership to resolve such matters without force before resorting to judicial interpretation.

The agency said its handling of the matter was consistent with its approach in other public disputes, including the case involving Prof. Pat Utomi’s “shadow government”, as well as disputes with media organisations over reports alleging invasions of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the National Assembly complex by DSS operatives.

The Service said that in those cases it sought legal redress or demanded public apologies, and withdrew charges after retractions were made.

On Sowore’s case, the DSS said it filed charges under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025, pursuant to SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999 and the National Security Agencies Act of 1986.

It said the suit was filed to seek judicial interpretation on whether Sowore had the right to disparage and cyberbully the President through social media posts.

The Service also stressed that Sowore was initially granted bail on self-recognition without a surety at the commencement of the trial, and that it neither opposed the bail application nor arrested him in connection with the remand proceedings.

“From the foregoing, it is clear the issues that led to his bail revocation and subsequent remand were entirely premised on the court processes, as the Service neither arrested nor opposed his bail,” the statement added.

With the ruling on his bail application now fixed for June 30, Sowore is expected to remain in Kuje custody pending the court’s decision.