The Sowore defamation trial was adjourned on Monday after a heated exchange between lawyers representing activist and politician Omoyele Sowore and the Department of State Services (DSS) disrupted proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Channels Television, the disagreement began when Sowore’s lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), applied for an adjournment, stating that certified court documents approved on July 27 were only released on Monday, leaving the defence with insufficient time to prepare for the cross-examination of its next witness, a DSS official.
Olumide-Fusika told Justice Mohammed Garba Umar that the delay resulted from issues at the court registry rather than the defence. He explained that although the application for the certified true copies (CTC) was filed on July 22, the registry repeatedly informed the defence that approval had not been granted, only for it to later emerge that the judge had approved the request on July 27.
DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) opposed the application, describing it as a tactic to delay proceedings. He argued that the prosecution had fulfilled its obligations by ensuring the nominated DSS officer was present to testify and urged the court to close the defence’s case.
Kehinde maintained that it was the defence’s responsibility to diligently follow up on its application at the registry. He further argued that the Constitution guarantees an opportunity to be heard but does not permit unlimited delays in criminal proceedings.
In response, Olumide-Fusika rejected the allegation of deliberate delay, insisting the defence had acted diligently and that the requested documents were essential to its planned cross-examination under the provisions of the Evidence Act. He also argued that the defence could not be blamed for administrative delays within the court registry.
Justice Umar observed that the defence had called only one witness since the prosecution closed its case and noted that the matter had already been adjourned several times at the defence’s request.
Proceedings became more tense when Olumide-Fusika interrupted Kehinde during further submissions, describing him as acting like a “persecutor” rather than a prosecutor. The remark prompted an immediate warning from Justice Umar, who cautioned both senior lawyers against further misconduct and warned that any repeat could result in referral to the appropriate disciplinary authorities.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 20, 2026, for the continuation of the defence after ruling that proceedings could not continue in the prevailing atmosphere.
