Tinubu Defamation Trial: DSS seeks Sowore’s remand as defence opens

The Department of State Services on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over his alleged failure to perfect his bail conditions.

The application was made at the resumed hearing of the alleged defamation case filed against Sowore over social media comments concerning President Bola Tinubu.

Prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told Justice Mohammed Umar that Sowore had yet to fulfil the bail conditions earlier granted by the court.

Kehinde argued that although the court released Sowore to his lawyer pending the perfection of bail, the defendant had not informed the prosecution of any difficulty in meeting the conditions.

He also said Sowore had not filed any application seeking variation of the bail terms.

But Sowore’s counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, opposed the application, saying bail was not meant as punishment but to ensure an accused person attends trial.

Fusika told the court that it was incorrect to say the bail conditions had not been met, adding that verification of documents had been substantially completed.

He said Sowore’s passport would be deposited in court before the close of work on Monday.

The defence counsel explained that there was a delay in retrieving the passport from the American Embassy in Lagos because Friday, July 4, was the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration and the embassy was on holiday.

Fusika urged the court to allow Sowore remain in his care until the next adjourned date, assuring that all bail conditions would be perfected.

Meanwhile, Sowore formally opened his defence by calling Abuja-based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, as his first witness.

Led in evidence by Fusika, Adeyanju referred to remarks allegedly made by President Tinubu during an official engagement in Benue State on citizens’ right to criticise public officials.

Video clips of the remarks were tendered in evidence through a flash drive.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 13 for continuation of trial.