Rights Lawyer Urges Court To Withdraw Bench Warrant Against Sowore

Rights Lawyer Urges Court to Withdraw Bench Warrant Against Sowore Human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor has called on Justice Mohammed Umar to vacate the bench warrant issued against activist and African Action Congress AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the order raise constitutional and procedural concerns.

In a statement released on June 18, Ejimakor contended that the revocation of Sowore’s bail and the issuance of a bench warrant followed a sequence of events that, in his view, undermined principles of fair hearing and due process. He argued that judicial actions affecting a defendant’s liberty should be taken only after adequate notice and an opportunity to explain any absence from court. According to the lawyer, Sowore appeared before the court on June 15 for proceedings relating to an application seeking the judge’s recusal. However, the court did not sit on that day. Ejimakor said Sowore subsequently informed court officials of his travel plans and submitted a letter requesting that future hearing dates be scheduled in July. The following day, the matter was reportedly listed for hearing. Sowore, who was already in Lagos, did not attend the session, leading the court to revoke his bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest. Ejimakor maintained that the decision failed to adequately consider the communication previously sent to the court explaining Sowore’s circumstances. The lawyer further argued that bail revocation and bench warrants are not automatic consequences of non-appearance and should be based on evidence that a defendant deliberately avoided court proceedings. He cited constitutional guarantees of fair hearing and warned that judicial discretion must be exercised in a manner consistent with the rule of law. Ejimakor also expressed concern that the development could create perceptions of unfair treatment in a politically sensitive case involving a prominent government critic. He urged the court to reconsider its decision, restore Sowore’s bail, and allow the substantive matters before the court to proceed without controversy. As of the time of reporting, there was no indication that the court had responded publicly to the lawyer’s request.