The African Action Congress (AAC), Oyo State Chapter, has condemned the revocation of bail and issuance of a bench warrant against its presidential candidate, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, by Justice Muhammad Umar of the Federal High Court.
In a statement signed by Oyo AAC Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, the party described the court’s action as a “judicial attack” and alleged that the judge was being used by the Tinubu administration to engage in “lawfare” against Sowore.
According to the statement, Sowore appeared in court on June 15, the date earlier fixed for the hearing. The party claimed the judge did not sit that day without giving notice or explanation. It added that Sowore wrote to the court registrar requesting new dates between July 2 and July 13, and in September, citing a scheduled trip to Lagos.
AAC Oyo alleged that Justice Umar ignored the letter and fixed the next hearing for June 16 after learning of Sowore’s travel plans. When Sowore was absent on that date, the judge revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant, the party said.
“This is not justice. This is persecution. This is another calculated attempt to stall the campaign of our presidential candidate and silence the biggest voice of the masses after seeing his nationwide popularity and acceptance in recent weeks,” the statement read.
The party warned that it, alongside “the Nigerian people,” would resist what it called the persecution of Sowore. It noted that Nigerians had taken to social media to show solidarity with Sowore over his frequent court appearances in cases instituted by the state and private individuals.
“We warn the Government and the judiciary that the African Action Congress, Oyo State Chapter, alongside the Nigerian people, will resist this lawfare and persecution of Omoyele Sowore,” Babayomi said. “Sowore and other candidates must be allowed to contest and campaign freely.”
The statement concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to appearing in court, saying, “As much as we don’t expect justice from our courtrooms, we have decided to always take justice to them and we will never run away from the courtrooms.”
