By Daily Review Online
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by the legal team of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to adjourn his alleged criminal defamation trial until after the judiciary’s annual two-month vacation.
Sowore is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over social media posts on his X and Facebook accounts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
At Monday’s proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, Reuben Adakole, sought a lengthy adjournment, informing the court that lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was out of the country.
However, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that the defence had already secured 10 previous adjournments and was attempting to further delay the proceedings.
Kehinde reminded the court that it had earlier ordered accelerated, day-to-day hearing of the case in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, contending that granting a two-month adjournment would undermine that directive.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar agreed with the prosecution, holding that the court had already approved accelerated hearing and could not grant the lengthy adjournment sought by the defence.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until July 16 for continuation of trial.
Earlier, the first defence witness, lawyer and rights activist Deji Adeyanju, continued his testimony, maintaining that President Tinubu had, during an official engagement in Benue State, said Nigerians were free to criticise, insult and call him names as part of democratic rights.
Adeyanju told the court that the President also urged law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ rights and not use the judiciary as a tool to suppress critics. Video recordings of the President’s remarks were played in open court.
During cross-examination, Adeyanju acknowledged that he had previously served as one of Sowore’s lawyers in the case but had since withdrawn. He also admitted making social media comments about his experiences with arrests and prosecutions, while conceding that President Tinubu never suggested that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences.