JUST IN: Sowore Refuses to Open Defence in Cyberbullying Trial Over Tinubu Comment

There was a dramatic twist at the ongoing cyberbullying trial of human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday, as he flatly refused to open his defense before the court.

The activist, who is being prosecuted for allegedly describing President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” via social media posts, opted to represent himself after his legal team stayed away from the proceedings.

When the matter was called for hearing, the prosecution lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, that the business of the day was for the defense to open its case.

However, the courtroom was noticeably devoid of any legal representative for the defendant.

Addressing the court on the development, Sowore stated that his lawyers declined to appear due to what they described as constant humiliation from the bench. He asserted his constitutional right to legal representation of his choice, explaining that he would defend himself in the interim while trying to put together a new legal team.

Following this, Sowore moved a formal application seeking the recusal of Justice Umar from the trial. The motion, which was filed on Thursday and served on the prosecution team on Friday morning, requested that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.

The prosecution counsel, Kehinde, did not object to the application being heard but pointed out a technical flaw, noting that the motion did not bear the specific name of the counsel who drafted it.

Justice Umar, however, stepped in to check the document, stating his assumption that it was signed by the initial defense lawyer on record, Marshal Abubakar. The judge warned the prosecution against relying on technicalities, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring a fair hearing for the defendant.

Kehinde subsequently argued on points of law, asking the court to dismiss the application entirely. He described Sowore’s move as an abuse of court process aimed at annoying and irritating the court. The senior advocate reminded the court that the Chief Judge had already declined a previous administrative request for reassignment in a letter dated May 22, 2026, directing that the trial must proceed daily. He warned that the defense risked being foreclosed if they refused to go ahead with their case.

Sowore countered the prosecution’s stance, appealing for at least a one-week adjournment to enable him to properly study the case file or secure new legal representation, especially given the upcoming Democracy Day break on June 12.

Justice Umar stated that he needed time to carefully review the bulky application before deciding whether to step down from the matter. He subsequently adjourned the case until June 15, 2026, for a ruling on the recusal application, noting that he would immediately step aside if the application is found to have merit.