Court rejects Sowore’s request for long adjournment in Tinubu defamation trial

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by Action Alliance of Nigeria (AAN) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore seeking a lengthy adjournment of his defamation trial.

The suit was instituted against Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accused him of defaming President Bola Tinubu.

Through his lawyer, Reuben Adakole, Sowore on Monday requested that the continuation of his defence be postponed until after the court’s two-month annual vacation.

The activist, who is facing trial over allegations that he described President Tinubu as a criminal in posts on his Facebook page and X handle, based his request on the absence of his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, who is currently outside the country attending to family matters.

However, the DSS strongly opposed the application. Its counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that the case had already experienced 10 previous adjournments at Sowore’s instance.

Kehinde argued that the fresh request for an extended adjournment was an attempt to further delay the criminal proceedings. He also reminded the court that an accelerated, day-to-day trial had earlier been ordered in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The DSS counsel maintained that granting a two-month adjournment would contradict the court’s earlier directive for an expedited hearing.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar rejected Sowore’s application, citing the previous order of the court.

The judge subsequently directed Sowore to appear before the court on July 16, 2026, for continuation of his defence.

Earlier in the proceedings, Sowore’s first witness, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju, continued his testimony, stating that President Tinubu had, during an official engagement in Benue State, acknowledged citizens’ rights to criticise, insult, abuse, or call him names, and urged law enforcement agencies to respect democratic freedoms.

Adeyanju further told the court that the President had said the judiciary should serve as a protector of the public and should not be used as a tool to suppress critics.

Video recordings in which the President was said to have made the remarks were played before the court.

During cross-examination by DSS counsel, Adeyanju confirmed that he was once Sowore’s lawyer but later withdrew from the case. He also acknowledged making social media comments about his general experiences regarding Sowore’s arrest and prosecution.

However, Adeyanju admitted that President Tinubu had never opposed the enforcement of the law against individuals who violate legal provisions.

The matter has been adjourned until July 16, 2026, for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.