The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday opened his defence in the defamation suit filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) by calling activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju as his first witness.
The proceedings took place before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the defence also tendered video clips of President Bola Tinubu’s remarks on free speech as evidence.
Adeyanju testifies on Tinubu’s remarks
Led in evidence by defence counsel Olumide Fusika, Adeyanju told the court that President Tinubu, during an official engagement in Benue State, said citizens have the right to criticise, insult and call him names as part of democratic freedoms.
According to the witness, the President also stated that law enforcement agencies should allow citizens to exercise those rights and that the judiciary should protect the public rather than serve as an instrument of oppression against critics.
The defence tendered video clips containing the President’s remarks through a flash drive, which was admitted as an exhibit.
DSS seeks Sowore’s remand
The trial also featured arguments over Sowore’s bail conditions.
Counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), told the court that Sowore had not fulfilled the conditions attached to his bail and asked the court to remand him at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending compliance.
Kehinde argued that the defendant had yet to deposit his passport with the court despite an earlier order allowing him to remain in his lawyer’s custody for that purpose.
He added that no application had been filed to vary the bail conditions or explain any inability to comply.
Defence explains delay
Responding, defence counsel Olumide Fusika argued that bail is intended to ensure a defendant’s appearance in court, not to serve as punishment.
He told the court that verification of the required documents had been substantially completed and assured Justice Umar that Sowore’s passport would be deposited before the close of business on Monday.
According to Fusika, the delay resulted from the inability to retrieve the passport from the U.S. Embassy in Lagos because the embassy was closed on Friday to mark the United States’ 250th Independence Day anniversary celebrations.
He urged the court to allow Sowore to remain in his custody pending the next hearing.
Case adjourned
Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 13 for continuation of the trial.
The DSS had charged Sowore with defamation over allegations that he described President Tinubu as a criminal on his X and Facebook accounts….See More
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