The trial of politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore, who faces allegations of making defamatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu, stalled on Thursday due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.
Sowore is being prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly labeling President Tinubu a criminal in posts on his X and Facebook accounts. The trial was scheduled to continue with the cross examination of the first prosecution witness, Cyril Nosike, a DSS official, by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar. However, the judge’s official assignment outside the court led to a postponement.
Justice Umar had earlier rejected two sets of documents tendered by Sowore’s defence, which included media reports about alleged misconduct by DSS and EFCC officials, and claims about past statements by President Tinubu regarding former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo. The judge ruled that documents could not be admitted through a witness who had no knowledge of them.
During proceedings, PW2, Cyril Nosike, clarified that he had no knowledge of the claims made by the defence regarding corruption or previous statements attributed to President Tinubu. He also refuted claims about the screening of Femi Fani Kayode and other political allegations.
The judge noted concerns over a previous live streaming of the trial, warning that such acts could be treated as contempt of court. He adjourned the case for further cross-examination to March 5, allowing the defence one final day with the witness.
The trial continues to draw public attention as it highlights the tensions between political expression and legal accountability in Nigeria.
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