The Federal High Court in Abuja has given human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, a final opportunity to continue his defence in the alleged cybercrime case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), warning that failure to do so at the next adjourned date could result in the closure of his defence.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar issued the warning on Thursday after Sowore appeared in court without his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, or his other lawyer, Reuben Adakole, and no explanation was offered for their absence.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, directing Sowore to resume his defence on that date or risk having his defence foreclosed, following an application by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.
At the previous sitting on July 13, Sowore, through his counsel, had sought an adjournment until after the court’s annual vacation, citing the absence of his lead counsel, who was reportedly abroad on family matters. The application was opposed by the prosecution, which argued that the trial had already suffered multiple delays at the instance of the defendant.
Kehinde urged the court to reject the request, noting that the matter had been adjourned several times and reminding the court that it had earlier ordered an accelerated day-to-day hearing in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Justice Umar declined the application and directed that the defence proceed on July 16.
Sowore is standing trial over allegations that he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts published on his Facebook page and X (formerly Twitter) account. He has denied the allegations.
The defendant had earlier opened his defence with the testimony of his first witness, lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, who concluded his evidence and was cross-examined at the last hearing.
The allegations against Sowore remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
