COURT ORDERS SOWORE TO OPEN DEFENCE IN ALLEGED CRIMINAL DEFAMATION CASE

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to begin presenting his defence in the alleged criminal defamation case instituted against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order on Thursday after rejecting a request by Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, to postpone further proceedings until after the court’s vacation.

The judge ruled that hearings in the matter should continue on a day-to-day basis, directing the defendant to open his defence beginning Friday.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over allegations that he made defamatory statements about Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his X and Facebook accounts, where he allegedly described the President as “a criminal.”

At Thursday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) informed the court that the matter was scheduled to receive the response of the Chief Judge to a letter written by Sowore on May 19, 2026, requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge.

According to Kehinde, the Chief Judge, in a response dated May 22 and served on the prosecution on May 26, declined the request and directed that the trial continue before the current court.

He subsequently urged the court to order the defendant to commence his defence.

However, Sowore’s lawyer argued that the Chief Judge’s response permitted the defendant to file a formal application for recusal to be heard in open court. He also sought an adjournment until after the court vacation, citing his client’s political engagements ahead of the next presidential election.

The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the Chief Judge’s letter contained no such directive and that the criminal trial should proceed without delay.

After reviewing the letter, Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution, stating that the Chief Judge did not direct the defendant to file any application before the court.

“This court is not denying the defendant the right to file any application. This can be done anytime before judgment,” the judge held.

Justice Umar noted that the matter had reached the defence stage and consequently ordered Sowore to begin presenting his case. He further directed that proceedings continue daily in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Following another unsuccessful bid by the defence to secure a lengthy adjournment, the court fixed June 5 for Sowore to formally open his defence.