Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking a lengthy adjournment in his trial over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.
The case was instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At Monday’s proceedings, Sowore, through his counsel, Raphael Adakole, asked the court to adjourn the defence stage of the trial until after the court’s annual vacation, explaining that the lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was out of the country and unavailable to continue with the case.
The application was opposed by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who argued that the matter had already been adjourned 10 times at the defendant’s request.
Kehinde also 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, contending that granting a two-month adjournment would defeat that directive.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar refused the application, citing the court’s previous order for an accelerated hearing.
The judge subsequently directed Sowore to return to court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.
Earlier in the proceedings, the defence’s first witness, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju, testified that President Tinubu had publicly affirmed Nigerians’ right to criticise, insult and call him names during an official engagement in Benue State.
According to Adeyanju, the President also urged law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ democratic rights and stated that the judiciary should serve as a protector of the people rather than an instrument of oppression.
Video clips containing the President’s alleged remarks were played in open court.
During cross-examination by the DSS counsel, Adeyanju acknowledged that he had previously represented Sowore as his lawyer but later withdrew from the case.
He also admitted making social media posts about his personal experiences with arrest and prosecution in similar matters.
However, Adeyanju conceded that President Tinubu never suggested that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences.
The case was adjourned until July 16 for the continuation of the defence.
