COURT DISMISSES SOWORE’S NO-CASE SUBMISSION IN ALLEGED CYBERBULLYING TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by activist Omoyele Sowore in his ongoing alleged cyberbullying case instituted by the Department of State Services.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” on his X social media handle.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Umar held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the activist, adding that Sowore had issues to explain in response to the allegations brought before the court.

The judge further held that evidence presented by the prosecution, including witness testimony, indicated that Sowore used his social media platform to make the disputed publication.

Following the ruling, Sowore, through his counsel, sought and obtained permission from the court to personally address the judge.

The activist told the court that he lacked confidence in getting justice from the court, alleging that his counsel had previously been humiliated by being asked to kneel and that he had also been subjected to harassment during the proceedings.

Sowore subsequently requested that Justice Umar recuse himself from further handling of the case.

His counsel informed the court that a formal application seeking the judge’s recusal would be filed.

The matter was thereafter adjourned until May 19 for further proceedings, despite objections from Sowore’s legal team regarding the adjourned date.