Court rejects Sowore’s application for long adjournment in defamation trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by Sahara Reporters publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to postpone his ongoing trial until after the court’s annual vacation.

Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the application, filed by Sowore’s lawyer, Reuben Adakole, and instead ordered the trial to continue on July 16.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore on charges of criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on X and Facebook. Sowore has denied the allegations.

During Monday’s proceedings, the DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the adjournment request, arguing that the case had already experienced several delays at the defendant’s request. He also reminded the court that it had earlier ordered an accelerated, day-to-day hearing under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, making a lengthy adjournment inappropriate.

In his ruling, Justice Umar held that granting the application would conflict with the existing order for an expedited trial and directed Sowore to return to court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.

Meanwhile, Sowore’s first defence witness, lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, continued his testimony, telling the court that President Tinubu had previously stated during an official visit to Benue State that Nigerians have the right to criticise, insult and call him names as part of democratic freedoms.

Adeyanju said the President also urged law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ rights and stressed that the judiciary should protect the public rather than be used to suppress critics. Video footage of the President making the remarks, which had earlier been admitted as evidence, was played in open court.

Under cross-examination, Adeyanju confirmed that he had previously served as one of Sowore’s lawyers but is no longer part of his legal team. He also acknowledged making comments on social media about arrests and prosecutions based on his general experience but agreed that President Tinubu had also maintained that the law should take its course whenever offences are committed.