The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned Omoyele Sowore that his defence may be foreclosed if he fails to proceed at the next adjourned date in his ongoing alleged defamation trial.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning on Thursday after the Department of State Services asked the court to close the defence case following another request for adjournment.
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, is facing charges filed by the DSS.
The charges border on alleged criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement.
The case is linked to social media posts allegedly made by Sowore on X and Facebook, in which he was accused of making false claims against President Bola Tinubu.
When the matter was called on Thursday, Sowore was present in court, but none of his lawyers appeared for him.
Justice Umar asked him about the absence of his legal team.
In response, Sowore said his lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, had travelled to the United Kingdom with the knowledge of the court.
He told the court that Olumide-Fusika wanted to personally handle the matter because of its seriousness.
Sowore also said another lawyer on his team, Reuben Adakole, was in another jurisdiction.
He then asked the court for an adjournment, saying he needed legal representation to continue his defence.
The judge informed Sowore that if he chose to make other applications beyond the request for adjournment, it could be taken as an indication that he intended to conduct his defence by himself.
Justice Umar said the adjournment request would be considered after hearing from the prosecution.
DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, opposed the application.
Kehinde argued that the request was the 11th adjournment sought at the instance of the defence.
He said the same reason, the absence of lead counsel, had been given at the previous sitting.
The prosecution also reminded the court that there was a subsisting order for the matter to be heard on a day-to-day basis.
Kehinde submitted that the repeated adjournments were contrary to the spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
He argued that Sowore was not ready to proceed with his defence.
The senior lawyer therefore asked the court to foreclose the defence and make consequential orders in the interest of justice.
In his ruling, Justice Umar said fair hearing required that the defendant be given an opportunity to present his defence.
The judge noted the prosecution’s objection and its claim that the defence had repeatedly delayed the trial.
However, he said he would grant Sowore one final opportunity in the interest of justice.
Justice Umar warned that if Sowore failed to continue with his defence at the next sitting, the court might foreclose his defence.
The matter was adjourned until July 22 for definite continuation of defence.
After the ruling, Sowore asked the court to allow him address another issue.
He requested the release of his international passport for submission to the United States Embassy over what he described as a family emergency involving his children in the U.S.
Justice Umar directed him to file a formal application on the request.
The judge said the prosecution would also be allowed to respond before the court makes a decision.
