The presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Mohammed Umar, on Wednesday decline the bail application of Omoyele Sowore, and adjourned to June 30 for ruling.

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2027 general elections, had applied for the restoration of his bail, which was revoked by the Judge.

Justice Mohammed Umar, presiding on the suit instituted by the Department of State Services, DSS, had on Tuesday ordered that Sowore be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the judge fixed June 30 for ruling on the bail application.

Sowore is currently facing prosecution on defamation accusation of profiling President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”

During proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, R.O. Adakole, who held brief for lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, urged the court to exercise its discretion and release the activist to his legal team, pending the determination of the bail application before the court.

Adakole argued that Sowore had consistently appeared before the court and had never jumped bail since the commencement of proceedings.

He pleaded with Justice Umar to allow Sowore remain with his legal representatives while awaiting the court’s ruling.

However, Justice Umar declined the request, insisting that he needed to carefully study the affidavits and other processes already filed before taking any decision on the matter.

Despite repeated appeals from the defence counsel, the judge refused to grant the request for temporary release.