The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application by Omoyele Sowore seeking a long adjournment in his ongoing trial.
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, is facing charges filed by the Department of State Services.
The charges border on alleged criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement.
Justice Mohammed Umar declined the request on Monday after Sowore’s lawyer, Reuben Adakole, asked the court to adjourn the matter until after the court’s annual vacation.
The application was opposed by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.
Kehinde argued that the case had already suffered previous adjournments at the instance of the defendant.
He told the court that the latest request appeared to be an attempt to delay the criminal proceedings.
The prosecution also reminded the court that it had earlier ordered accelerated day-to-day hearing of the matter in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
According to Kehinde, the accelerated trial order had not been set aside, and granting a two-month adjournment would conflict with the court’s earlier directive.
In his ruling, Justice Umar refused the application for a long adjournment.
The judge said the decision was based on the existing order for accelerated hearing.
He then directed Sowore to appear in court on July 16 for continuation of his defence.
The DSS alleged that Sowore made false claims against President Bola Tinubu in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
Earlier in the proceedings, Sowore’s first defence witness, Deji Adeyanju, continued his testimony before the court.
Adeyanju, a lawyer, told the court that President Tinubu had said during an official engagement in Benue that citizens had the right to criticise, insult and call him names.
He said the President also urged law enforcement agencies to allow citizens exercise their rights as part of democratic practice.
The witness further testified that Tinubu said the judiciary should protect the public and should not be used as a tool of oppression against critics.
Video clips of the President’s remarks, which had earlier been tendered as exhibits, were played in open court.
During cross-examination by the DSS lawyer, Adeyanju confirmed that he had previously served as one of Sowore’s lawyers.
He, however, said he was no longer part of the defendant’s legal team.
Adeyanju also admitted that he had made social media comments about his general experience with arrests and prosecutions in similar matters.
The witness further acknowledged that President Tinubu did not oppose the law taking its course where any person violates the law.
The case is expected to continue on July 16.
