Court Gives Sowore Final Chance to Present Defence in Alleged Cybercrime Trial

The Federal High Court has granted activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore one final opportunity to continue his defence in his alleged cybercrime trial, warning that any further delays could lead to the closure of his defence.

The warning came after the case was called and Sowore appeared in court without any members of his legal team.

Addressing the court, Sowore explained that his lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olumide Fusika, was in the United Kingdom with the court’s knowledge, while another lawyer handling the matter, Raphael Adakole, was outside the court’s jurisdiction.

He requested an adjournment to enable his lawyers to return and continue his defence, adding that he also intended to make an oral application before the court.

However, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that Sowore could only make such an application if he chose to represent himself.

Opposing the request, prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde reminded the court that the matter had previously been adjourned to Thursday, July 16, 2026, to allow the defence to serve subpoenas issued by the court.

Kehinde argued that the court had already ruled during the previous sitting that the absence of Sowore’s lead counsel should not delay proceedings. He also pointed to the existing order for a day-to-day trial and noted that the latest request represented the 11th adjournment, which he said was contrary to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

The prosecution urged the court to foreclose the defence and proceed with the next stage of the trial.

In his ruling, Justice Umar acknowledged that the right to a fair hearing requires that every defendant be given an adequate opportunity to present a defence. He stressed that the court could not compel an accused person to defend himself but warned that the judicial process must not be unnecessarily delayed.

The judge therefore granted what he described as a final adjournment, cautioning that if the defence fails to proceed at the next sitting, the court may foreclose Sowore’s case and move forward accordingly.

The matter has been adjourned until July 22, 2026, for the continuation of the defence.