The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday turned down a request by Omoyele Sowore for a lengthy postponement of his trial. Justice Mohammed Umar rejected the application filed through Sowore's counsel, Reuben Adakole.
Sowore, who publishes Sahara Reporters and was the African Action Congress presidential candidate, faces charges of criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement brought by the Department of State Services. The DSS alleges he made false statements about President Tinubu by calling him "a criminal" on his X and Facebook accounts.
Adakole had sought to delay proceedings until after the court's annual break. But the DSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, firmly opposed the move.
Kehinde told the court that Sowore had already benefited from multiple adjournments in the past. He argued that granting another two-month delay would undermine the accelerated trial already ordered under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
"The latest request is designed to frustrate these proceedings further," Kehinde submitted to the judge. The court, he noted, had previously set a fast-track schedule that remained in force.
Justice Umar agreed, citing the earlier acceleration order as grounds for rejection. The judge scheduled the next hearing for July 16 when Sowore's defence continues.
During Monday's proceedings, Sowore's first defence witness, Deji Adeyanju, resumed testimony about remarks President Tinubu allegedly made in Benue. Adeyanju, a lawyer, told the court that the president said citizens possess the right to insult, abuse, and criticise him as part of democratic freedom.
According to Adeyanju, Tinubu also instructed law enforcement agencies to respect citizens' constitutional rights. The president further stated that courts must protect the public rather than serve as tools to suppress dissent, he said.
Video evidence of the president's statements was played in open court on Monday. Adeyanju's account directly supports Sowore's defence strategy that speaking critically about leaders isn't unlawful.
Under cross-examination by Kehinde, Adeyanju acknowledged working as Sowore's counsel earlier. He noted, however, that he's no longer part of the defendant's legal team.
Adeyanju also admitted making social media posts sharing his general views about arrests and prosecutions in such cases. But he clarified that Tinubu never suggested the law shouldn't apply when individuals commit actual offences.
