A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the publisher of Sahara Reporters and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to begin presenting his defence in the criminal defamation case filed against him over alleged remarks about President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order on Thursday after dismissing a request by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, who sought an adjournment of the matter until after the court’s annual vacation.
The judge subsequently ordered that the trial proceed on a day-to-day basis in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and fixed Friday, June 5, for Sowore to open his defence.
Sowore is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services over allegations that he made defamatory statements against President Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the matter had earlier been adjourned to June 4 to await a response from the Chief Judge regarding a petition written by the defendant seeking the reassignment of the case to another judge.
Kehinde said the Chief Judge, in a letter dated May 22 and served on the prosecution on May 26, declined the request and directed the trial court to continue with the hearing of the case.
He therefore urged the court to order the defendant to commence his defence.
In response, Sowore’s counsel argued that part of the Chief Judge’s letter suggested that a formal application could be filed to address the issue in open court. He also appealed for the matter to be postponed until after the court’s vacation, citing his client’s political activities ahead of the next presidential election.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the Chief Judge did not direct the defendant to file any application for recusal and that the criminal trial had no connection with political engagements.
According to Kehinde, attempting to interpret the letter otherwise was misleading and unsupported by its contents.
After listening to both parties, Justice Umar examined the Chief Judge’s response and agreed with the prosecution’s position.
The court held that the letter did not direct the defendant to file any application before the trial court and noted that Sowore remained free to file any application he considered necessary before judgment was delivered.
Justice Umar further observed that the matter had reached the defence stage and that there was no reason to delay proceedings.
Following the ruling, Sowore’s lawyer renewed his request for an adjournment, but the prosecution again opposed it, arguing that the law requires criminal trials to proceed without unnecessary delays.
Kehinde maintained that the defence had only two options — either proceed with its case or risk being foreclosed from presenting a defence.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until June 5 for Sowore to formally begin his defence.