Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has turned down an application by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, seeking a long adjournment in his trial over a two-count charge filed by the Federal Government for allegedly defaming President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore, through his lawyer, Reuben Adakole, had on Monday applied for his defence to be adjourned until after the court’s two-month annual vacation.
The activist, who is being prosecuted for allegedly describing President Tinubu as a “criminal” on his Facebook page and X account, based his request on the absence of his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), who was said to be out of the country attending to family matters.
The application was opposed by counsel to the prosecution, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who drew the court’s attention to what he described as 10 previous adjournments granted at Sowore’s instance.
The senior lawyer argued that the latest request was a deliberate attempt to further frustrate the criminal trial.
Kehinde also reminded the court that it had earlier ordered an accelerated day-to-day trial in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, adding that granting a two-month adjournment would be inconsistent with that order.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar refused the application, relying on the court’s earlier order for an accelerated hearing, and subsequently directed Sowore to appear on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.
Earlier, Sowore’s first defence witness and Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Deji Adeyanju, maintained during his testimony that President Tinubu, during an official engagement in Benue State, had said citizens have the right to insult, abuse, criticise and call him names, and that law enforcement agencies should allow citizens to exercise those rights as part of democracy.
Adeyanju also testified that the President had stated that the judiciary should remain the guardian of the people and should not be used as an instrument of oppression against critics.
Video clips in which the President was said to have made the remarks were played in open court.
Under cross-examination by the prosecution, Adeyanju admitted that he had previously acted as Sowore’s lawyer but later withdrew from the role. He also acknowledged making comments on social media about his general experience regarding arrests and prosecutions in similar cases.
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