The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, seeking to suspend his ongoing trial until after the court’s annual vacation.
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the request and directed that the case should proceed as scheduled on July 16, in line with an earlier order for an accelerated hearing.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement linked to social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a criminal” on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. The activist has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, Reuben Adakole, urged the court to adjourn the matter until after the annual court vacation. However, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that the defence had already sought several adjournments during the trial.
Kehinde further reminded the court that it had previously ordered day-to-day proceedings in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, making a lengthy adjournment inconsistent with the directive for a speedy trial.
In his decision, Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution, holding that granting the request would undermine the court’s earlier order for an expedited hearing. He subsequently fixed July 16 for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.
At the hearing, Sowore’s first defence witness, lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, continued his testimony before the court.
Adeyanju told the court that President Tinubu had, during an official visit to Benue State, publicly stated that Nigerians were free to criticise, insult or call him names as part of the country’s democratic principles.
According to the witness, the President also urged security agencies to respect citizens’ constitutional rights and emphasised the judiciary’s responsibility to protect the public rather than suppress dissenting voices. A video recording containing the President’s remarks, which had earlier been admitted as evidence, was played in court.
During cross-examination, Adeyanju confirmed that he had previously represented Sowore as a member of his legal team but no longer serves in that capacity. He also acknowledged making social media comments on arrests and prosecutions based on his experience but agreed that President Tinubu had equally maintained that anyone who violates the law should face the legal consequences.
The case has been adjourned to July 16 for the continuation of the defence.
