A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, to begin presenting his defence in the ongoing criminal defamation case filed against him over alleged remarks about President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order after rejecting a request by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, to postpone further proceedings until after the court’s annual vacation.

The judge ruled that hearing in the matter would continue on a daily basis, starting Friday, June 5, when Sowore is expected to formally open his defence.

Sowore, who is also an online publisher, is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he falsely described President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for June 4 to receive the response of the Chief Judge to a letter written by Sowore on May 19, 2026, seeking the reassignment of the case to another judge.

Kehinde told the court that he was served with the Chief Judge’s response on May 26. The letter, dated May 22, reportedly declined Sowore’s request and directed that the trial should proceed before the current judge.

Following this, the prosecution asked the court to order the defendant to commence his defence.

In response, Abubakar argued that part of the Chief Judge’s reply suggested that the defendant could file a formal application, which should then be heard in open court.

He further requested that the matter be adjourned until after the court vacation, citing Sowore’s intention to focus on preparations for the next presidential election.

However, Kehinde challenged that interpretation, insisting that the Chief Judge’s response did not direct the defendant to file any application for recusal.

“The letter from the Chief Judge of this court did not ask the defendant or his counsel to file an application for recusal. So, it is disingenuous for counsel to read into the letter an interpretation that the Chief Judge did not include in the letter,” Kehinde said.

Following arguments from both parties, Justice Umar reviewed the Chief Judge’s letter and agreed with the prosecution’s position.

“From the content of the letter, there is nowhere the defendant is asked to file an application before this court.

“This court is not denying the defendant the right to file any application. This can be done anytime before judgment,” Justice Umar said.

The judge noted that the matter had reached the stage where the defendant was required to present his case and subsequently directed Sowore to enter his defence.

Justice Umar also ordered that the proceedings continue on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Despite the ruling, Sowore’s counsel again sought an adjournment until after the court vacation. The request was opposed by the prosecution, which maintained that the law required the defence to proceed immediately.

“The law is that the defendant shall proceed with his defence. There is no option. We are ready. There is no room for dilatory practice for a defendant facing a criminal trial,” Kehinde said.

He added that “the option left at this point is for the defence to continue or simply be foreclosed. It is either they continue, or they are foreclosed”.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until June 5, 2026, for Sowore to begin presenting his defence.

Armed bandits have abducted seven students in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, prompting security agencies to launch a search-and-rescue operation.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on the outskirts of the Low-Cost Area in Kaura Namoda, where the attackers reportedly invaded the students’ residences and took them to an undisclosed location.

According to the Zamfara State Police Command, the assailants struck at about 4:00 a.m., catching residents off guard before escaping with the victims.

The command disclosed that one of the kidnapped students managed to escape from captivity and has since been reunited with authorities.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said police tactical teams, alongside military personnel attached to Operation Fansar Yamma, were immediately deployed to the area after receiving reports of the attack.

However, the gunmen had already fled before security operatives arrived at the scene.

Abubakar explained that security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers, rescue the remaining victims, and bring those responsible for the crime to justice.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful and credible information that could aid ongoing operations.

The command reassured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to secure the safe release of the abducted students and promised to provide updates as the situation develops.

Fresh fears have emerged over the fate of worshippers kidnapped from an Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) congregation in the Omugo community of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, following reports that five of the abductees may have died while in captivity.

The victims were among eight worshippers abducted by armed men during an attack on the church on March 22, 2026.

Sources familiar with the situation on Wednesday said that the information reportedly came from one of the captives who escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout.

A source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, disclosed that relatives of the victims had already been informed about the alleged deaths.

According to the source, the wife of the church minister, Pastor Omole, is among those feared to have lost their lives while being held captive.

“It is with deep pain in my heart that I inform you that out of eight people who were abducted from ECWA Omugo on March 22, 2026, only three people are still with the kidnappers. The remaining five have gone to be with the Lord,” the source said.

The source named the deceased victims as Elder David Omopariola, Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun, Mrs Iyabo Aniyi, Elder Joshua Akanbi Adeyemi, and Mrs Rachel Oluwaremilekun Omole.

“May God console their immediate families and the church at large,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged deaths remained unclear, and details regarding where or how the victims reportedly died could not be independently verified.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had not received any official report confirming the deaths of the abducted worshippers.

She said, “The command is not aware of such an incident, especially relating to the abductees being killed. Nonetheless, I will do my findings.”

The abduction occurred on March 22 when gunmen stormed the ECWA Church in Omugo during a worship service. Witnesses said the attackers fired shots sporadically to create panic before forcing worshippers into a nearby forest.

Eight church members were taken away during the attack, with police authorities later revealing that most of the victims were elderly individuals aged around 70 years.

Following the kidnapping, the abductors reportedly demanded a ransom of N1 billion for the victims’ release.

Although the ransom demand was later said to have been reduced during negotiations, reports indicated that relatives eventually paid N20 million along with food items and drinks. Despite the payment, the victims were reportedly not released.

Security agencies had earlier assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abductees and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has said governors across the South-West are strengthening collaboration to improve security in the region amid growing concerns over crime and kidnappings in parts of the country.

The governor made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following the conviction of four individuals involved in the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

Speaking on efforts to address insecurity, Aiyedatiwa stressed that South-West governors are actively working together through coordinated security strategies and regional partnerships.

“What I am saying in essence is that we are talking to ourselves; we are working,” Aiyedatiwa said when asked about the preparedness of governors in the region to tackle insecurity.

“The other day we had a meeting in Oyo State, in Ibadan, where we tried to map out what we need to do together to secure the South-West geopolitical zone, especially with our security network, Amotekun. Don’t forget we have it in Ondo State, Oyo State, Ekiti State, and Ogun State. It is only in Lagos State that they don’t have it, but they have their own security.”

His comments come amid rising concerns over insecurity in parts of the South-West, particularly following the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State and a recent kidnapping incident in Ekiti State’s Ilejemeje Local Government Area.

The incidents have heightened fears about the safety of residents and communities across the region.

However, Aiyedatiwa maintained that states in the South-West are taking proactive measures to strengthen security and protect residents.

“Now, for us in Ondo State and other South-West states, we stand as a gateway to the South-West because we border a lot of other states from other parts of the country—Kogi, North Central, Kwara (we are not bordered by Kwara directly, but Ekiti is close to us), and then Osun, Ogun and so on,” he said.

“A lot of engagements are going on in our forest reserves that do not come to the public in the news.

“So much work is being done. Security is one responsibility that leaders carry that is not so visible to everybody. It is only when there is a lapse that it will look as if the government has not been doing enough. We have been doing so much.”

Reacting to Wednesday’s court judgment over the Owo church attack, the governor described the verdict as a significant victory for justice and the rule of law.

More than 40 worshippers were killed and several others injured when gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church during a service in Owo in 2022.

Four years later, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four convicted suspects to death by hanging for their roles in the attack.

The convicted men were among five defendants facing terrorism charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the incident.

Responding to the judgment, Aiyedatiwa said residents of Owo and Ondo State welcomed the decision.

“For us in Ondo State, we are happy that this judgment is a victory for the rule of law and for all the victims attacked, not just in Owo, Ondo State, but all who have been attacked at one time or the other by these terrorists,” the former deputy governor said.