Court Denies Sowore's Request for Trial Adjournment

On July 10, 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, rejected Omoyele Sowore's request for a long adjournment in his trial concerning two counts of charges filed by the Federal Government, which allege defamation of President Bola Tinubu. Sowore, the president of the African Action Congress, is accused of describing President Tinubu as a criminal on his social media accounts.

His lawyer, Reuben Adakole, made the application for a lengthy adjournment, but the prosecution, represented by Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed it, citing ten previous adjournments granted at Sowore's request. The court emphasized the need to accelerate the trial in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, and subsequently scheduled the next hearing for July 16, 2023.

During earlier proceedings, Sowore's defense witness, Deji Adeyanju, testified about the importance of citizens exercising their rights in a democracy.