Sowore Drags INEC Chairman, Joe Igbokwe Into Tinubu Defamation Trial
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has secured court subpoenas compelling the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, to appear as witnesses in his ongoing criminal defamation trial.
Sowore disclosed that both individuals are expected to testify on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his description of President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.
The activist made the disclosure on Monday while speaking with journalists after proceedings in the case.
He confirmed that the court had accepted the subpoenas issued against the INEC chairman and the Lagos-based APC chieftain.
According to Sowore, their appearance is expected to form an important part of the proceedings when the matter resumes.
He, however, declined to explain the specific reasons behind his decision to summon the two individuals, suggesting that their expected testimonies would be significant to his defence.
Addressing journalists outside the courtroom, the activist specifically called attention to the involvement of the electoral commission chairman, insisting that the development should be properly reported.
“One of them is the INEC chairman. I hope you heard that. Because I know when you go here, when you leave this place, the DSS will write your report for you.
“But report this, because you are in court, that the INEC chairman has the subpoena to come and give testimony on Wednesday. And that’s going to be interesting. I don’t want to disclose why we are subpoenaing.
“And then the next one is Joe Igbokwe, who lives in Lagos. So the judge has accepted that these people must be present in court,” Sowore said.
The activist also warned the prosecution against taking steps that could frustrate the appearance of the two witnesses or challenge the subpoenas issued by the court.
He maintained that the individuals had been formally summoned and should honour the court’s directive when the case resumes.
Although Sowore did not provide details about the evidence he expects from Amupitan and Igbokwe, he suggested that the direction of his defence would cover issues beyond the specific statement that led to his prosecution.
His comments indicate that the defence intends to raise questions surrounding President Tinubu’s public record, identity and the circumstances surrounding his emergence as Nigeria’s President.
The involvement of Amupitan is notable because of his position as chairman of the electoral body responsible for conducting and supervising elections in Nigeria.
Igbokwe, on the other hand, is a prominent APC figure in Lagos who has remained active in political discussions and public commentary.
However, the specific connection between the two witnesses and the allegations against Sowore has not been fully disclosed by the activist.
The case originated from Sowore’s repeated description of President Tinubu as a criminal, a statement that the DSS considers defamatory.
The activist has refused to withdraw the description despite the legal action against him.
He has also maintained that his comments form part of his criticism of the President and his administration.
The DSS subsequently instituted criminal defamation proceedings against him, bringing the dispute before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Since the commencement of the case, Sowore has continued to challenge the prosecution and maintain his position on the statement that brought him before the court.
The activist has not explained whether the two witnesses will be questioned about specific political events, public records or other matters connected to the President.
He has also not disclosed the exact questions his legal team intends to put before them.
