Proceedings in the cybercrime trial of African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore resumed Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. During the session, the court declined to admit several documents Sowore intended to use for his defense against charges brought by the Department of State Services.
Sowore faces a two-count indictment for allegedly labeling President Bola Tinubu a criminal in a social media post. Represented by Olumide Fusika, SAN, the activist attempted to introduce court records and correspondence through defense witness Wayne Chikezie Elijah. However, the prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, successfully opposed the move, arguing that the public documents lacked the necessary certification required by the Evidence Act.
Justice Mohammed Umar sided with the prosecution, noting that because the documents had been held by private counsel rather than remaining in official custody, there was no guarantee they had not been altered. Consequently, the exhibits were formally rejected.
Before this ruling, DSS official Uwen Davis testified that he had written to X Corporation requesting the removal of the post. He claimed the publication posed a risk to public order, though he could not identify specific individuals who were agitated by the content. He further acknowledged that his actions were directed by his superiors.
The trial, which stems from charges filed on December 2, 2025, centers on alleged violations of the 2024 Cybercrimes Act. The dispute originated from Sowore’s reaction to President Tinubu’s statements regarding corruption in Nigeria. Justice Umar has scheduled the next hearing for July 28.
