Court Adjourns Sowore’s Cyberbullying Trial, Reserves Ruling On Witness Subpoenas

By Gbenga-Ojo NICHOLAS

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the cyberbullying trial of activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to July 16, 2026, while reserving its decision on an application by the defence to subpoena witnesses.

Justice Umar Mohammed fixed the new date on Monday after declining the defence’s request to suspend proceedings until after the court’s annual vacation.

The case resumed for the continuation of the defence after the prosecution closed its case.

Sowore’s lawyer, R.O. Adakole, urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable the defence secure the attendance of witnesses through subpoenas, saying the earlier application for the issuance of the subpoenas had yet to be processed.

He also opposed the prosecution’s application asking the court to foreclose the defence’s case, arguing that Sowore was entitled to call witnesses in his defence.

“My Lord is interested in hearing the defence of the defendant just as the prosecution has been given full opportunity to present its case. We are not asking for an everlasting adjournment,” Adakole told the court.

He maintained that the defence was not attempting to frustrate the proceedings but merely seeking sufficient time to present its case, noting that Sowore had attended every scheduled hearing since the trial began.

The defence further argued that the authorities relied upon by the prosecution did not apply to the circumstances of the case, explaining that the cited decision involved a defendant who voluntarily chose not to open a defence, unlike Sowore, who proceeded after his no-case submission was dismissed.

During Monday’s proceedings, the court admitted and played three video recordings tendered through defence witness and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

One of the videos featured President Bola Tinubu urging Nigerians to “insult me more” and directing security agencies not to arrest or harass citizens for criticising him.

In the recording, the President said he does not pay attention to social media criticism and encouraged the judiciary to continue protecting citizens’ constitutional rights. The remarks drew laughter from those present in the courtroom.

Delivering a ruling on the application for adjournment, Justice Mohammed held that the reasons advanced by the defence, including the absence of senior counsel, were insufficient to warrant postponing the trial until after the court’s vacation.

The judge, however, said the defence’s application for the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of its witnesses would be determined in accordance with the law.

He subsequently adjourned the matter to Thursday, July 16, for the continuation of the defence.