Sowore’s Trial Continues After Court Rejects Delay Bid

A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application by human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore seeking to postpone proceedings in his alleged cyberbullying trial involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar declined the request for a lengthy adjournment and directed the defence to continue presenting its case on July 16, stating that granting another extended delay would be inconsistent with the court’s earlier directive for an accelerated hearing.

Sowore’s legal team had asked the court to adjourn the matter until after the court’s annual vacation, explaining that the lead defence counsel was currently outside Nigeria.

However, counsel for the Department of State Services (DSS) opposed the application, arguing that the case had already experienced multiple delays at the instance of the defendant.

The prosecution also reminded the court of its previous order that the trial should proceed expeditiously in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

During the proceedings, defence witness Deji Adeyanju testified that President Tinubu had publicly stated that Nigerians have the democratic right to criticise and even insult him.

The defence tendered video clips of the President’s remarks as part of its evidence before the court.

Under cross-examination, however, Adeyanju acknowledged that although the President had defended freedom of expression, he did not suggest that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences.

Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, is standing trial over allegations of cyberbullying President Tinubu in a case instituted by the DSS.

The activist has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial is set to continue on July 16.