DSS accuses Sowore of delaying trial over alleged cyberbullying of Tinubu
The Department of State Services (DSS) has accused Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), of attempting to disrupt his trial for alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu. The DSS claims that Sowore is trying to call Akinlolu Kehinde, the agency’s lead counsel, as a defense witness.
During proceedings on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the DSS characterized the subpoena issued to Kehinde as an abuse of court process. They argued that this move is aimed at obstructing the prosecution and placing their lead lawyer in a difficult position.
DSS lawyer Kenneth Cyril-Ita urged Justice Mohammed Garba Umar to invalidate the subpoena at the hearing, asserting that allowing it to stand would deny the Federal Government the right to choose its counsel for the prosecution. He emphasized that a lawyer cannot serve as both counsel and witness in the same case.
Cyril-Ita also dismissed allegations that the prosecution sought to delay the trial or postpone proceedings until 2027, asserting that any related evidence falls under Section 83(3) of the Evidence Act. The DSS requested that Justice Umar quash the subpoena and direct Sowore to commence his defense.
In contrast, Sowore’s attorney, Ruben Adakole, argued for the dismissal of the DSS’s objections, maintaining that the defendant has the right to call Kehinde as a witness.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar scheduled a ruling on the application for November 9.
