Court Issues Final Warning to Sowore Regarding His Defense
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final warning to Omoyele Sowore, an online publisher and presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), mandating him to finalize his defense or risk forfeiting it. Justice Mohamed Umar delivered this warning following Sowore’s request for an adjournment due to the absence of his lead attorney.
Background of Charges Against Sowore
Sowore faces serious charges from the Department of State Services (DSS), which include defamation, sedition, and cyberbullying. These charges stem from a post in which he labeled President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” on his social media platforms, including “X” (formerly Twitter) and Facebook in September of the previous year.
Lack of Legal Representation Raises Concerns
During the hearing, Sowore appeared in court but had no lawyer present. Justice Umar inquired about his legal counsel, to which Sowore explained that his lead attorney, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), was unavailable due to travel to the United Kingdom. Sowore asserted his lawyer’s competence and expressed a desire to continue with a proper defense.
Sowore’s Plea for Adjournment
When asked if he wished to proceed with his defense, Sowore requested another adjournment, emphasizing the gravity of the matter and the necessity for adequate legal representation. He stated the importance of having a skilled lawyer to manage such a significant case.
Judge Cautions On Multiple Applications
In response to Sowore’s request for an adjournment, the judge cautioned that further applications beyond this request could imply that Sowore intended to represent himself. Justice Umar clarified that submitting an application signals a readiness to mount a defense. The DSS lawyer noted that this was Sowore’s eleventh request for an adjournment, highlighting concerns over the defendant’s readiness to continue his defense in a timely manner.
Prosecutor Seeks Foreclosure of Defense
The prosecutor, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), argued that Sowore’s repeated delays indicate a lack of preparedness to continue his defense. He cited a prior court order requiring daily proceedings and requested that the court foreclose Sowore’s defense to ensure justice is served swiftly. Kehinde emphasized that allowing Sowore to further postpone proceedings would not be in the best interest of justice.
Judge Considers Fairness in Proceeding
Justice Umar acknowledged Sowore’s right to a fair hearing and expressed his intent to grant one last opportunity for a proper legal defense. Despite recognizing the prosecution’s concerns over multiple adjournments, he permitted Sowore’s request for an adjournment while warning that failure to proceed on the next scheduled date could lead to the dismissal of his defense.
As the session concluded, Justice Umar scheduled the next hearing for July 22, stating it would be critical for Sowore to present his defense. Following this ruling, Sowore made a plea for temporary release of his international passport for urgent family matters in the United States, to which the judge directed him to submit a formal request for consideration.
