The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a final warning to African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, directing him to resume his defence in the alleged cyberstalking case instituted against him by the Federal Government or risk losing the opportunity to present his case.
Justice Mohammed Umar gave the warning after Sowore appeared in court without any member of his legal team. The absence of his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), and another defence lawyer, Reuben Adakole, prompted the court to express dissatisfaction with the repeated delays that have slowed the proceedings.
The case stems from allegations that Sowore used his Facebook page and X account to describe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal,” an action the Federal Government claims contravenes Nigeria’s cybercrime laws. Prosecutors insist the trial should proceed without further unnecessary postponements, arguing that the matter has already suffered numerous adjournments at the request of the defence. (Legit.ng – Nigeria news.)..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
At an earlier sitting, Sowore’s legal team had requested that the continuation of the defence be shifted until after the court’s annual vacation, citing the overseas trip of the lead counsel for family reasons. However, Justice Umar rejected the application, explaining that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act requires accelerated hearing in criminal cases and that the court could not continue to entertain delays. (Legit.ng – Nigeria news.)
During the latest proceedings, counsel to the Federal Government urged the court to foreclose the defence because of the continued absence of Sowore’s lawyers. Although the judge declined to immediately shut out the defence, he granted what he described as a final opportunity and fixed July 22 for Sowore to continue his defence.
Justice Umar made it clear that failure to proceed on the next adjourned date could result in the court foreclosing the defence, meaning the trial would move forward without any further evidence from Sowore’s side before judgment is eventually delivered. (Legit.ng – Nigeria news.)
The high-profile case has continued to attract widespread attention because it touches on issues of freedom of expression, alleged cyberstalking, and the limits of political criticism in Nigeria. While the Federal Government maintains that the comments made against the President violated the law, Sowore has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has insisted that the charges are politically motivated.
With the court now issuing what it described as a final warning, all eyes will be on the next hearing, where Sowore is expected to open and conclude his defence. The outcome of the proceedings could prove significant not only for the former presidential candidate but also for ongoing debates surrounding free speech, digital expression, and the application of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
