Sowore To Defend Himself In Cyberbullying Trial
Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that he will represent himself in an ongoing cyberbullying case.
He made the disclosure on Friday when proceedings resumed before Justice Mohammed Umar, saying he was still working on assembling a new legal team.
The case is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over alleged false statements made against President Bola Tinubu.
The development followed a ruling by the court that the trial would proceed on a day to day basis, a decision that led to the absence of Sowore’s former legal counsel.
When asked about his lawyers, Sowore told the court that they were unwilling to continue with the case due to concerns over how previous proceedings were handled.
He said he would temporarily take up his own defence until new counsel is engaged.
During the hearing, Sowore also filed a motion requesting that the presiding judge withdraw from the case, citing concerns over fairness in the proceedings.
The prosecution opposed the application, describing it as flawed and lacking proper procedure. The court, however, noted that the motion appeared properly signed according to its records and allowed arguments to proceed.
The judge adjourned the matter to a later date for ruling and continuation of defence.
Sowore also asked for additional time to secure legal representation, but the court maintained its earlier order for a continuous hearing schedule.
The case centres on social media posts in which Sowore allegedly described President Tinubu in a manner the DSS considers offensive and unlawful.
