Court fixes October 2 for Sowore to continue defence in alleged cyberbullying of Tinubu
The Federal High Court has scheduled October 2 for the continuation of defense proceedings in the cyberbullying case against Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). The case has been brought forward by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Last month, social media speculations suggested that the DSS might seek an extended adjournment to allow Sowore to focus on his presidential campaign following the court’s annual long vacation.
Sowore faces prosecution related to social media posts made in August 2025, wherein he characterized President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of misrepresenting the nation’s corruption levels.
After the prosecution presented its case, Sowore submitted a no-case argument, which was rejected by the court, prompting the judge to order him to present his defense. He also sought to have the trial judge recused, but this motion was rejected by the court’s Chief Judge due to allegations of bias.
During Monday’s hearing, prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) informed the court that Sowore would continue his defense on September 28. However, defense attorney Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) indicated that the defense team was awaiting the arrival of a subpoenaed witness from the DSS. He expressed concerns that the defense might not be able to proceed without this witness.
Olumide-Fusika noted that the last adjournment included an agreement from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to send another DSS officer in place of the originally subpoenaed Director-General, who failed to appear in court.
The defense counsel mentioned that, due to the absence of the subpoenaed witness, they would seek an adjournment. He also suggested that they had the option to apply for a warrant to compel the witness’s appearance in court. Olumide-Fusika presented media reports indicating that the DSS had pledged to direct its legal counsel to seek a suspension of proceedings until after the upcoming general elections.
When questioned by Justice Mohammed Umar about the absence of the DSS representative, Kehinde stated that it was not his duty to ensure the presence of the witness, asserting that the responsibility belonged to the defense.
Kehinde dismissed the reliance on social media reports by the defense, claiming ignorance of such publications and urging the court to disregard them. He called for the court to order Sowore to commence his defense or risk the possibility of foreclosing the defense.
In his ruling, Justice Umar acknowledged the non-availability of the subpoenaed witness and granted the defense an additional opportunity to produce them. The case was adjourned until October 2 for the continuation of the defense.
