NEWS
Court Deals Fresh Blow to Sowore, Orders Him to Remain in Custody Until June 30
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the continued detention of Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), pending a ruling on his application seeking to overturn the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed June 30, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the motion filed by Sowore challenging the court’s earlier decision that revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, Raphael Adakole, moved a motion seeking a stay of execution of the June 16 order that revoked his client’s bail following his absence in court.
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The defence lawyer informed the court that the application, dated June 17 and filed on June 19, was brought under relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
According to him, the application seeks an order setting aside the bail revocation and bench warrant issued against Sowore and restoring the status quo that existed before June 16.
Adakole told the court that the motion was supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Larry. He added that the defence had also filed a further affidavit and a reply on points of law in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
He urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice and discountenance the prosecution’s objections.
However, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, strongly opposed the application.
Kehinde told the court that the DSS had filed a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address, urging the court to reject the defendant’s request.
The senior advocate argued that Sowore had failed to place credible and truthful facts before the court that would warrant the exercise of judicial discretion in his favour.
After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.
Shortly after the adjournment, Adakole made an oral request for Sowore to be released into his custody pending the court’s decision, assuring the judge that he would produce the defendant whenever required.
The request was immediately opposed by the DSS lawyer, who argued that such an application could not be validly made orally before the court.
In response, Adakole stated that he was representing senior advocate Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, whom he described as a man of impeccable character whose undertaking should be trusted by the court.
Justice Umar, however, declined the request, noting that granting Sowore temporary release could amount to determining the substantive application before delivering a formal ruling.
Consequently, the court ordered that Sowore remain in custody pending the June 30 ruling.
The development comes days after Justice Umar ordered the remand of Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The judge had earlier dismissed an application seeking his recusal from the case over allegations of bias.
On June 16, the court revoked Sowore’s bail after he failed to appear for his trial and subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
With the latest ruling, Sowore will remain in custody until at least June 30 when the court is expected to decide whether to restore his bail or uphold the earlier order revoking it.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
Shettima’s return followed a series of high-level engagements focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests and expanding the country’s partnerships with BRICS member and partner countries.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima participated in high-level sessions at the summit and held bilateral meetings with key international leaders.
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Among his major engagements was a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where discussions focused on strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and India.
The discussions covered renewed crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other strategic sectors.
Shettima also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and a more inclusive global economic order.
At the BRICS summit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s message calling for reforms of global governance structures and international financial institutions to reflect current economic realities.
He also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Nigeria further used its participation at the summit to deepen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries in key sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
The Vice President’s participation forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s international economic partnerships, attract investment and create new opportunities across strategic sectors of the economy.
Tension has heightened in parts of Sokoto metropolis following the stabbing of an Islamic cleric, Musa Lukuwa, shortly after Friday prayers, prompting the state government to shut the mosque where the incident occurred.
The Sokoto State Government ordered the immediate closure of the Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera and declared the facility a crime scene pending the outcome of investigations.
The government also ordered a full investigation into the stabbing of the cleric and the subsequent killing of his alleged attacker by worshippers.
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The directives were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.
According to the Sokoto State Police Command, the alleged attacker used a knife to assault Lukuwa after the Friday prayers before worshippers overpowered and beat him to death.
Police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the command received a distress call at about 1:50pm concerning the incident.
He said preliminary investigations showed that the alleged assailant entered the mosque after the prayers and attacked the cleric.
Lukuwa was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
Following the attack, the cleric appealed for calm, saying he was in stable condition and urging his followers not to retaliate or take any action capable of escalating the situation.
Explaining the mosque’s closure, the state government said the measure was necessary to enable security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.
“The government has ordered a full investigation into the attack and killing at Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque, Mabera, and ordered the closure of the mosque (crime scene) till further notice,” Bawa said.
The government also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars, known as ulamas, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the religious tensions and advise the administration on appropriate measures.
“The State Government has constituted a committee of ulamas to examine the remote and immediate causes of such crisis, and to advise the government on the appropriate measures to be taken in the interest of the state,” the statement said.
The government further dissociated itself from anyone who, under the guise of religion, engages in acts it considers disrespectful to Prophet Muhammad, his parents, household and companions.
It reaffirmed its “total obedience and respect” for the Prophet and urged residents to continue demonstrating love and compassion towards him.
The administration also appealed to residents to refrain from making inciting statements capable of worsening the situation.
“The Government has appealed to people in the state to desist from incisive statements that could jeopardise the peaceful coexistence that Sokoto is known for,” Bawa said.
The state government assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property across Sokoto State and urged members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue.
The much awaited Africa’s largest Initial Public Offering by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has been formally flagged off on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, marked the commencement of the offer by ringing the opening bell at the NGX trading floor in Lagos on Monday.
The transaction marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s capital market, as the DPRP becomes the first refinery in the Nigerian Exchange’s 66-year history to open its shares to public subscription.
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The offer comprises 4.1 billion new ordinary shares priced at N525 per share, allowing investors to acquire an equity stake in Africa’s largest refinery.
Retail and institutional investors, as well as eligible investors across Africa, can participate in the public offer.
Investors can subscribe for a minimum of 10 shares, requiring an investment of N5,250 at the offer price.
The offer opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the offer prospectus.
At the ceremony, Dangote highlighted that the public offer was part of a broader effort to expand public participation in owning his companies.
“We will lease every company that we operate,” he said.
The launch attracted prominent dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Dangote family and captains of industry.
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