A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a fresh to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore at N200million.

Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on Tuesday, ordered him to produce two sureties, one of which must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo State.

The second surety, the judge ordered must have landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The judge also ordered that both sureties must be verified by the prosecuting, Akinlolu Kehinde, (SAN).

He further ordered Sowore to surrender his international passport to the court’s Deputy Registrar for safekeeping.

Shortly after the judge’s ruling, Sowore’s lawyer, R. O. Adakole appealed to the judge to release Sowore to him to enable him get his passport from the US embassy in Lagos, a request the judge granted.

Justice Umar adjourned to July 6, 2026 for Sowore to open his defence.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over alleged criminal defamation arising from claims that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts made on his official X and Facebook accounts.

Justice Umar had, on June 16 revoked the bail earlier granted Sowore on self recognition, following his absence in court.

The judge also issued a bench warrant for the politician’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his trial on allegations bordering on cybercrime and criminal defamation.

Upon his appearance in court on June 24 Justice Umar ordered that Sowore be kept in the Kuje Correctional Centre until his motion for a stay of the execution of the order for the revocation of his bail and bench warrant is heard and determined.

Justice Umar dismissed Sowore’s other application in which he urged the judge to recuse himself for the case on grounds of alleged bias.