The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application by the presidential candidate of the African Action Alliance (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking a lengthy adjournment in his alleged cyberbullying trial involving President Bola Tinubu.
The case, instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), resumed before Justice Mohammed Umar, where the court ruled that the defence must proceed without further delay.
Sowore, through his lawyer, Raphael Adakole, had urged the court to postpone the defence stage of the trial until after the court’s annual vacation.
Adakole explained that the lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was outside the country and therefore unavailable to continue with the proceedings.
The request was strongly opposed by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who informed the court that the defendant had already secured 10 previous adjournments during the course of the trial.
Kehinde further reminded the court that it had earlier ordered an accelerated day-to-day hearing in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, arguing that granting another lengthy adjournment would contradict that directive.
In a short ruling, Justice Umar rejected the application, relying on the court’s previous order for an accelerated hearing of the matter.
The judge subsequently directed Sowore to return to court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.
Earlier during the proceedings, Sowore’s first defence witness, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju, told the court that President Tinubu had publicly stated during an official visit to Benue State that Nigerians have the right to criticise, insult and call him names, urging law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ democratic freedoms.
Adeyanju also testified that the President had stressed that the judiciary should remain a protector of the people rather than becoming an instrument for suppressing critics.
Video clips containing the President’s alleged remarks were played before the court.
During cross-examination by the DSS counsel, Adeyanju admitted that he previously represented Sowore as his lawyer before withdrawing from the case.
He also acknowledged making comments on social media regarding his personal experiences with arrest and prosecution in similar legal matters.
However, Adeyanju agreed that President Tinubu never suggested that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences.
Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 16 for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.
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