A dramatic development occurred on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, during the resumed trial of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. The counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, denied knowledge of widely reported statements that the agency had directed him to seek an adjournment of the ongoing trial until after the 2027 presidential election.
The denial came despite extensive media reports on August 30 that the DSS had directed its counsel to seek an adjournment of the case until after the 2027 election. The reports suggested that the agency wanted to enable Sowore to participate fully in the electoral process. However, during the proceedings, Sowore's lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, expressed surprise that the DSS appeared determined to continue the prosecution despite earlier reports that the agency had sought to suspend the case.
Olumide-Fusika drew the court's attention to media reports and press statements allegedly issued by the DSS, indicating that the service had instructed its lawyers to seek an adjournment of the case until after the election. He sought to tender copies of the publications before the court, arguing that the reports could explain why the expected witness was absent. The counsel argued that coming to court without the witness, while apparently relying on a different position previously publicised, could amount to an attempt to catch the defence unprepared.
The prosecution counsel objected to the defence's reliance on social media and media reports, arguing that the document being referred to had not been served on him and that he was unaware of its contents. He questioned the propriety of opposing counsel relying on alleged communications between the DSS and its lawyers as reported on social media. The prosecution counsel urged the court to discontinue consideration of the publication, arguing that court proceedings should not be conducted through social media.
Fusika maintained that the publications were relevant to the circumstances surrounding the witness's absence and insisted that the defence had not fabricated the information. The defence counsel also expressed concern over the absence of the subpoenaed witness, arguing that the prosecution had previously undertaken to provide an official who could testify on behalf of the service. He told the court that an understanding had earlier been reached that if the Director-General was unable to appear, another competent officer would be provided to testify.
According to Fusika, once the court was aware of the understanding, as honourable members of the profession, they should expect that understanding to be fulfilled. The case was thereafter adjourned to Friday, October 2, 2026. The DSS counsel's denial of knowledge of the reported plan to suspend the case has added a new twist to the trial, which is being closely watched by many.
The trial of Omoyele Sowore has been a subject of interest, with many following the developments closely. The case was adjourned to October 2, 2026, as the court seeks to resolve the issues surrounding the witness's absence and the prosecution's apparent change in position.
Key points
- The DSS counsel denied knowledge of reports that the agency planned to suspend the case until after the 2027 presidential election.
- The prosecution counsel objected to the defence's reliance on social media and media reports.
- The case was adjourned to Friday, October 2, 2026.
