Proceedings in the alleged criminal defamation trial of publisher and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore have been postponed until September 28 after a heated exchange between lawyers representing the prosecution and the defence disrupted proceedings at the Federal High Court.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, adjourned the case after tensions escalated during arguments over an application by the defence seeking more time before continuing with the cross-examination of a prosecution witness.
The disagreement began when lead prosecutor Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) opposed the request for an adjournment, arguing that the defence had repeatedly delayed the proceedings. He urged the court to close the defence’s case, describing the repeated requests for postponement as tactics intended to stall the trial.
Lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), rejected the allegation, explaining that he had only received a crucial court document from the registry on Monday, despite applying for it on July 22 and obtaining the judge’s approval on July 27. According to him, the document was necessary for the cross-examination of the Department of State Services (DSS) officer who appeared in court in place of the agency’s Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi.
Fusika told the court that although the exhibit had already been admitted into evidence, he needed adequate time to study it before questioning the witness. He also reminded the court that both parties had earlier agreed that any authorised DSS officer could testify instead of the Director-General.
Responding to the prosecution’s claims, the senior lawyer denied that the defence was deliberately delaying the trial. He argued that if the defence truly intended to frustrate the proceedings, it would have insisted on the personal appearance of the DSS Director-General rather than accepting another officer as a witness.
The courtroom atmosphere became tense as Fusika criticised the prosecution’s remarks, insisting that describing the defence’s actions as “dilatory tactics” was unfair and insulting. He accused the prosecutor of behaving like a persecutor rather than a prosecutor and warned that his calm disposition should not be mistaken for weakness.
Justice Umar intervened to restore order, cautioning both senior lawyers against further misconduct. He warned that any repeat of such behaviour could lead to disciplinary action and stressed that the courtroom must be conducted with professionalism and respect. Following the confrontation, the judge ruled that he could not continue with the hearing under the circumstances and adjourned the case until September 28 for the continuation of the defence.
Sowore is facing charges of criminal defamation over a social media post in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The case was initially filed by the Department of State Services before it was later taken over by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Sowore has denied the allegations and continues to challenge the charges in court.
