Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, 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 the alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu, a case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore, through his counsel, Raphael Adakole, requested that the defence stage of the trial be adjourned until after the court’s annual vacation.

Adakole told the court that the lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was out of the country and therefore unavailable to continue with the proceedings.

Counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the application, reminding the court that the matter had already been adjourned 10 times at the instance of the defendant.

Kehinde also drew the court’s attention to its earlier order granting an accelerated day-to-day hearing in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He argued that granting a two-month adjournment would be inconsistent with that directive.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar declined the application, citing the court’s earlier order for an accelerated hearing.

The judge subsequently directed Sowore to appear in court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.

Earlier, the defence’s first witness, Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju, testified that President Tinubu, during an official engagement in Benue State, had said citizens have the right to criticise, insult, and call him names, and that law enforcement agencies should allow Nigerians to exercise those rights as part of democratic freedoms.

Adeyanju further testified that the President had emphasised that the judiciary should serve as a guardian of the people and should not be used as an instrument of oppression against critics.

Video clips in which the President was said to have made the remarks were played in open court.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the DSS, Adeyanju admitted that he had previously represented Sowore as his lawyer but later withdrew from that role.

He also acknowledged making comments on social media regarding his personal experiences with arrest and prosecution in similar cases.

However, Adeyanju conceded that President Tinubu never suggested that the law should not take its course whenever an individual violates the law.

The matter was adjourned until July 16 for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.