The Federal High Court in Abuja directed Omoyele Sowore to begin his defence in the criminal defamation case filed over alleged remarks against President Bola Tinubu.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, to open his defence in the ongoing criminal defamation case instituted against him over alleged remarks targeting President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar gave the directive after rejecting an application by Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, who had asked the court to adjourn further proceedings until after the court’s vacation.
The judge subsequently ordered that the matter proceed on a day-to-day basis in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, with Sowore expected to formally begin his defence on Friday, June 5.
The case, being prosecuted by the Department of State Services, centres on allegations that Sowore made defamatory claims against President Tinubu in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts, where he allegedly described the president as “a criminal.”
During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the matter had earlier been adjourned to await the response of the Chief Judge to a letter written by the defendant seeking reassignment of the case to another judge.
According to the prosecution, the Chief Judge declined the request and directed that the trial should continue before Justice Umar. Kehinde thereafter urged the court to compel the defendant to proceed with his defence.
Sowore’s lawyer argued that part of the Chief Judge’s response advised the defence to file a formal application if the issue was to be raised in open court. He also urged the court to postpone proceedings until after vacation.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the criminal proceedings should continue without delay and arguing that the case had no connection to political activities.
After examining the Chief Judge’s response in court, Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution’s position and held that the interpretation advanced by the defence was incorrect.
The ruling places the trial at a decisive procedural stage, where the focus now shifts from preliminary objections and adjournment requests to the defence itself. In a case already drawing national attention because of its intersection with political speech and criminal prosecution, the court’s insistence on accelerated hearing signals a determination to move proceedings forward without further delay.
The matter was adjourned till June 5 for Sowore to open his defence.