The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking a lengthy adjournment in his trial over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the request on Monday, insisting that the case, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), should proceed in line with the court’s earlier order for an accelerated hearing.
Sowore, through his counsel, Raphael Adakole, had asked the court to postpone the defence stage of the trial until after the court’s annual vacation.
Adakole explained that the lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was out of the country and therefore unavailable to continue with the proceedings.
However, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that the matter had already been adjourned 10 times at the instance of the defendant.
Kehinde also reminded the court that it had previously ordered an accelerated day-to-day hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, adding that granting a two-month adjournment would undermine that directive.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar refused the application and reaffirmed the court’s commitment to the accelerated hearing of the case.
The judge subsequently adjourned proceedings until July 16, when Sowore is expected to continue presenting his defence.
