Sowore's Trial Stalled by Lawyers' Verbal Altercation

The trial of Omoyele Sowore, an activist and Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was interrupted on Monday due to a verbal altercation between his lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, and Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, representing the Department of State Services (DSS). The incident occurred before Justice Mohammed Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Olumide-Fusika requested an adjournment to study newly released documents necessary for cross-examining a DSS witness, citing that the documents were only provided to him on August 3, despite his application on July 26. Kehinde opposed the adjournment, accusing the defense of using dilatory tactics to delay the trial.

This led to a heated exchange, with Olumide-Fusika expressing frustration and calling Kehinde a persecutor. Justice Umar intervened, warning both lawyers about their conduct and ultimately adjourning the case until September 20, 2026, for the continuation of the defense.