Nigeria: Court Orders Sowore to Open Defence in Defamation Trial
The judge rejected a delay request and ordered day-to-day hearings after finding the case had reached the defence stage.
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja directed Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, to open his defense in the alleged cyberbullying case involving President Bola Tinubu, appearing without counsel.
- Sowore informed Justice Mohammed Umar that his legal team refused to appear, citing 'humiliation' suffered during previous proceedings after the judge mandated day-to-day hearings on the criminal defamation charge.
- Filing a motion for recusal on Thursday, Sowore requested an adjournment for Democracy Day celebration, which prosecuting lawyer Akinlolu Kehinde opposed as 'an abuse of court process meant to annoy and irritate this court.'
- Justice Umar rejected the request for a long adjournment, ordering the trial to proceed day-to-day per the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and scheduled a ruling on the recusal application for Monday, June 8, 2026.
- Despite Sowore's efforts to delay until after the court's vacation, the Federal High Court maintains the trial schedule, leaving the defendant to represent himself in the dock while preparing his defense.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Nigeria: Court Orders Sowore to Open Defence in Defamation Trial
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, to open his defence in the criminal defamation case instituted against him over alleged defamatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu.
Alleged cyberbullying: Court declines Sowore’s prayer for adjournment
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to grant an application by activist, Omoyele Sowore seeking an adjournment in his ongoing trial until after the court’s forthcoming vacation. Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, rejected the request made by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar. Justice Umar also ordered the defendant, who is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged cyberbullying-related offences, to…
Sowore seeks judge’s recusal in DSS defamation trial, says lawyers abandoned him
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Friday informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that his legal team had withdrawn from representing him in the defamation case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS). Sowore, who is also a trained lawyer, attributed his predicament to a recent ruling of the court directing him to open his defence or risk having the defence case foreclosed.…
My lawyers have deserted me in defamation trial, Sowore tells Court *Fails to open defence - THE AUTHORITY NEWS
Online publisher and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore, on Friday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he has been deserted by his lawyers in the defamation charges brought against him by the Department of the State Service (DSS). He however blamed his ordeal on the ruling of the Court delivered on June 4 which ordered him to open his defence in the charges against him or foreclose the defence. At Frid…
My lawyers have Deserted me in Defamation Trial, Sowore Tells Court
Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher of Sahara Reporters, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that his legal team has deserted him in the ongoing defamation case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).Sowore attributed his predicament to the court’s ruling on June 4, which directed him to immediately open his defence or risk forfeiting it. Left without counsel, he personall…
Alleged Cybercrime: Sowore To Represent Self, Court To Hear Recusal Application June 15
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court Abuja, has adjourned until June 15th, for ruling on the application filed by the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance Congress, Omoyele Sowore, seeking the judge to recuse himself from his trial. At the day’s hearing, Sowore told the court that he will represent himself, pending the time he is able to find a new lawyer or reconstitute his legal team. READ ALSO: NCDC Intensifies Preparednes…
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