Abuja Court Rejects Omoyele Sowore's Bid to Delay Cyberbullying Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore's application to postpone his cyberbullying case. Justice Mohammed Umar ruled the request would undermine an earlier directive for an accelerated hearing and set the defense to continue on July 16.

Sowore's team argued the lead defence counsel was abroad and sought a lengthy adjournment, while the Department of State Services highlighted that the trial had already faced multiple delays. Defence witness Deji Adeyanju testified that President Bola Tinubu had said Nigerians have the right to criticise and insult him, but affirmed that such freedom does not exempt anyone from prosecution. Sowore, charged by the DSS for referring to the president as a "criminal," has pleaded not‑guilty.

The court ordered the proceedings to proceed without further postponement, emphasizing the need for a speedy trial under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.