The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application by the presidential candidate of the African Action Alliance (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking a lengthy adjournment in his ongoing trial over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the request after the defence informed the court that its lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was unavailable because he was out of the country. Defence counsel Raphael Adakole had urged the court to postpone proceedings until after the court’s annual vacation.
Opposing the application, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), argued that the matter had already been adjourned ten times at the instance of the defendant. He further reminded the court that it had earlier ordered an accelerated day-to-day hearing in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, contending that a two-month adjournment would undermine that directive.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar rejected the application, reaffirming the court’s commitment to the 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 called Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju as its first witness. Adeyanju testified that President Tinubu, during an official engagement in Benue State, stated that Nigerians have the constitutional right to criticise, insult, or call him names as part of democratic freedoms. He further claimed the President urged law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ rights to free expression and emphasised that the judiciary should remain a guardian of justice rather than an instrument of oppression.
Video clips of the President’s remarks were played in open court.
During cross-examination, Adeyanju acknowledged that he had previously represented Sowore as legal counsel before withdrawing from the case. He also admitted to making social media posts about his personal experiences with arrest and prosecution in similar matters.
However, he conceded that President Tinubu did not suggest that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences, maintaining that the rule of law must prevail.
The matter has been adjourned until July 16 for the continuation of the defence.
