- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by Human Right activist, Omoyele Sowore, who demanded long adjournment of his ongoing trial on alleged cybercrime.
In a ruling delivered on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, the court maintained the order for accelerated hearing of the case which was adjourned till 16th of July for the continuation of the 2027 African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential candidate’s trial.
According to reports, Sowore, through his lawyer, Raphael Adakole, had requested that the defence stage of the trial be postponed until after the court’s annual vacation.
Adakole told the court that the lead defence counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was out of the country and therefore unavailable to proceed with the case.
The request was however opposed by counsel to the Department of State Service (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who reminded the court that the matter had already suffered 10 adjournments at the instance of the defendant.
Kehinde reminded the court of its earlier order granting an accelerated day-to-day trial in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
He argued that granting a two-month adjournment would run contrary to that directive.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar declined the application, citing the court’s earlier order for accelerated hearing.
The judge subsequently directed Sowore to appear in court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.