Sowore Begins Defense in Tinubu Defamation Trial

Omoyele Sowore, an activist and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, opened his defense on Monday in a defamation trial against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Sowore is facing two counts of defamation for allegedly publishing false claims about Tinubu on the Sahara Reporters media platform and on his official Facebook account.

His defense counsel, led by Deji Adeyanju and Olumide Fusika, argued that citizens have the right to criticize public officials. Sowore is currently at risk of being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre due to his inability to meet bail conditions set by Justice Moham Umar, which include providing two sureties and depositing his international passport.

The court had previously granted Sowore bail of N200 million, but he has yet to fulfill the conditions. The next court date is set for July 13, where Sowore's defense will continue.