A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a request for a lengthy delay in the criminal defamation and cyberstalking trial of Omoyele Sowore. The publisher of Sahara Reporters, who previously ran as the African Action Congress presidential candidate, faced opposition from the Department of State Services regarding his plea to pause proceedings until the court’s annual holiday ends.
Justice Mohammed Umar rejected the motion submitted by defense attorney Reuben Adakole, citing a standing mandate for an accelerated hearing under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015. Counsel for the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, argued that the request was merely an attempt to impede the judicial process, noting that previous delays had already hindered the case. The court has scheduled the next session for July 16 to proceed with the defense.
During the session, defense witness Deji Adeyanju testified regarding comments allegedly made by President Bola Tinubu in Benue. Adeyanju claimed the president once advocated for the public’s right to criticize and label political figures, suggesting the judiciary should not serve as a tool for suppression. Video evidence of these remarks was presented to the court. While Adeyanju acknowledged his previous role as Sowore’s lawyer, he clarified that he is no longer part of the defense team. He also conceded that the president’s remarks did not explicitly forbid legal repercussions for individuals who break the law.
