Court Gives Sowore Final Chance, Warns Defence Could Be Closed in Defamation Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the publisher of Sahara Reporters and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, a final opportunity to continue his defence in his ongoing alleged defamation trial, warning that any further delay could lead to the closure of his defence.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning on Thursday after granting Sowore's request for an adjournment due to the absence of his lead counsel, despite strong opposition from the prosecution.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22 for the definite continuation of the defence.

When the case was called, Sowore was present in court, but none of his lawyers appeared.

Responding to the court's enquiry, Sowore explained that his lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), had travelled to the United Kingdom with the court's knowledge and wished to continue handling the case personally upon his return.

He also informed the court that another member of his legal team, Reuben Adakole, was appearing in another court.

Describing the matter as serious, Sowore sought an adjournment to enable his legal team continue with the defence.

Justice Umar informed the defendant that if he attempted to make any application beyond seeking an adjournment, the court would regard it as an indication that he intended to represent himself.

The judge explained that the application for adjournment would first be considered after hearing from the prosecution.

Counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), strongly opposed the application, arguing that the defence had repeatedly delayed the trial.

According to him, the latest request represented the 11th adjournment sought by the defence since the commencement of the proceedings.

He reminded the court that during the previous sitting, the same explanation had been offered regarding the absence of the lead counsel, despite the court's earlier position that proceedings should not be stalled because of his absence.

Kehinde further argued that there was an existing order directing that the case should proceed on a day-to-day basis in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

He urged the court to foreclose Sowore's defence, insisting that the repeated adjournments showed a lack of readiness to proceed.

In his ruling, Justice Umar acknowledged the prosecution's concerns but held that the interest of justice required giving the defendant one final opportunity to present his defence.

He stressed that the principle of fair hearing demands that all parties be given the opportunity to fully present their cases before judgment is delivered.

While granting the adjournment, the judge issued a stern warning that the court may foreclose Sowore's defence if he fails to proceed on the next adjourned date.

Shortly after the ruling, Sowore sought the court's permission to temporarily retrieve his international passport so it could be submitted to the United States Embassy to address what he described as an urgent family matter involving his children in the United States.

Justice Umar, however, directed him to file a formal application, adding that the prosecution would also be given an opportunity to respond before the court makes a decision.

Sowore is facing charges of criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement after allegedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as "a criminal" in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the trial continues before the Federal High Court in Abuja.