Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday accused Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of bias in the ongoing cyberbullying case instituted against him by the Department of State Services.
Sowore made the allegation shortly after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his no-case submission in the matter.
The activist, who was granted permission to address the court, alleged that the judge had sided with the Federal Government in a bid to frustrate his political ambition ahead of the 2027 general election.
Earlier, counsel for the prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), had opposed Sowore’s request to speak, arguing that his lawyer was already present in court.
However, after repeated appeals by Sowore and his counsel, Marshall Abubakar, the court allowed him to make his remarks.
Speaking before the court, Sowore openly accused the judge of bias, insisting that he could no longer get justice under his watch.
He claimed the dismissal of his no-case submission suggested that the court had already reached a conclusion on the matter.
Sowore further urged Justice Umar to withdraw from the trial and allow another judge to handle the case.
According to him, the Federal Government was allegedly determined to secure his conviction in order to stop him from participating in the 2027 elections.
His lawyer, Abubakar, also backed the call for recusal, accusing the court of favouring the prosecution throughout the proceedings.
The defence counsel subsequently urged the judge to return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
Responding, the prosecution counsel asked the court to reject the oral application for recusal.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar directed Sowore to file a formal application stating the grounds for his request.
The judge thereafter adjourned the matter till May 19, 2026, for the defendant to open his defence and for the hearing of the recusal application.
