The legal battle involving Omoyele Sowore and the Federal Government suffered a fresh twist on Monday as the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected the activist’s attempt to secure a two-month delay in his trial over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed Sowore’s application for an extended adjournment, insisting that the matter must proceed in line with the court’s earlier order for an accelerated hearing under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The case, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), will now continue on July 16, following the court’s refusal to suspend proceedings until after its annual vacation.
Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Alliance (AAC), had, through his lawyer, Raphael Adakole, requested that the defence stage of the trial be postponed, arguing that the absence of his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), who is currently outside the country, would affect the proper presentation of his defence.
Adakole told the court that Fusika’s participation was crucial and urged the judge to grant an adjournment until after the court’s vacation period.
