Sowore Withdraws Subpoena for DSS DG in Defamation Case

On Tuesday, Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, withdrew his bid to subpoena Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), in his alleged criminal defamation trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Sowore indicated that the evidence he sought could be provided by another official of the DSS.

This decision followed an objection from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who represented the Federal Government. Fagbemi contended that the subpoena should be set aside as the document in question was not authored or signed by Ajayi and had already been admitted in evidence.

The letter, which requested Sowore to delete a Facebook post where he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal,” had been previously tendered. Sowore's counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), initially opposed the AGF's intervention but later conceded that the evidence could be obtained from another official.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter until August 3 for the continuation of the defense.