Court Denies Sowore's Uncertified Document in Defamation Case

On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja rejected a motion by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), to tender an uncertified document in his ongoing trial for alleged criminal defamation. Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts on his official X and Facebook accounts.

During the proceedings, Sowore's lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), sought to submit a copy of court documents through a witness, Wayne Chikezie Elijah, who claimed to have received them on behalf of Sowore. However, the prosecuting lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), objected, stating that the document was merely a photocopy and could only be admitted if it was a certified true copy or the original.

Justice Mohammed Umar upheld the objection, emphasizing the need for certification to ensure the document's integrity.