The Federal High Court in Nigeria has scheduled October 2 for Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), to continue his defence in a case brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS). Sowore is accused of cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu with social media posts made in August 2025. The posts described Tinubu as a "criminal" and accused him of lying about corruption levels in the country.
At a recent court hearing, prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde informed the court that the case was set for September 28 for Sowore to continue his defence. However, defence counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika stated that the defendant was awaiting a subpoenaed witness from the DSS. Without the witness, the defence might be unable to proceed. Olumide-Fusika mentioned an understanding with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, that another DSS officer would represent the agency's Director-General, who was originally subpoenaed.
The defence counsel expressed concerns that since no DSS official arrived to represent its Director-General, the defence would have to apply for an adjournment. Olumide-Fusika also noted the possibility of applying for a warrant to arrest and produce the subpoenaed witness in court. Additionally, he presented newspaper publications where the DSS reportedly planned to seek a suspension of proceedings until after the next general elections.
Prosecuting counsel Kehinde countered that it was the defence's responsibility to ensure the witness's presence in court. He faulted Olumide-Fusika's reliance on social media publications and urged the court to order Sowore to proceed with his defence. Kehinde warned that failing to do so would lead him to apply for the defence to be foreclosed. The court must now determine how to proceed with the case.
Justice Mohammed Umar presided over the hearing and decided to give the defence another opportunity to produce the subpoenaed witness. Consequently, he adjourned the case until October 2 for the continuation of Sowore's defence. This development allows Sowore more time to prepare his defence, but also puts pressure on the defence team to produce the necessary witness.
The case against Sowore originated from his social media posts in August 2025, which led to his prosecution by the DSS. After the prosecution's case concluded, Sowore made a no-case submission, which the court rejected. The court then ordered him to enter his defence. Previously, Sowore's bid to have the trial judge recuse himself due to alleged bias was rejected by the court's Chief Judge.
The October 2 hearing will determine the next steps in the case against Sowore. Three key points emerge: the defence must produce the subpoenaed witness, Sowore's social media posts are at the centre of the alleged cyberbullying case, and the case has been adjourned until October 2. The outcome may have implications for free speech and political discourse in Nigeria.
Key points
- The Federal High Court has fixed October 2 for Omoyele Sowore to continue his defence.
- Sowore is accused of cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu with social media posts.
- The defence team awaits a subpoenaed witness from the DSS to proceed with the case.
