Human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has lashed out at the ongoing criminal defamation and cybercrime trial against him. He accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of driving a politically motivated prosecution.
The fiery activist claimed the state has subjected him to grueling judicial constraints and harsh detention conditions. His comments follow a highly contentious session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the trial judge threatened to permanently close his defense due to the repeated absence of his legal team.
The Final Warning from the Bench
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Sowore appeared in court alone, with neither his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), nor his backup lawyer present.
The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) on behalf of the Department of State Services (DSS), fiercely objected to any further delays. Kehinde argued that the defense had already secured 11 separate adjournments. He urged the court to foreclose the defense entirely, paving the way for an immediate final judgment.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ultimately granted a final, short grace period in the interest of a fair hearing but issued a stern ultimatum:
“Fair hearing demands that all parties be heard and the defendant present his defence… However, if he fails to continue with his defence on the next adjourned date, his defence may be foreclosed.” — Justice Mohammed Garba Umar
The trial has been strictly adjourned until July 22, 2026, for a definite continuation.
“Tinubu Sent Me to Prison” — Sowore Fires Back
Speaking on the judicial gridlock, Sowore strongly rejected the narrative that he is deliberately stalling the case. He clarified that his lead counsel had traveled to the United Kingdom to attend to an urgent family emergency—a development he stated the court was well aware of.
The activist fiercely decried his ongoing legal trials, pointing to his recent remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre as clear evidence of political persecution.
The charges stem from social media posts where Sowore allegedly referred to the President as a “criminal”. The AAC leader argued that the state is weaponizing security agencies and imposing suffocating bail terms on political critics to choke the civic space.
The Strict Bail and Travel Safeguards
Sowore’s frustrations have been compounded by severe travel restrictions linked to his bail conditions.
Immediately following the judge’s warning, the activist made an oral plea requesting the temporary release of his international passport. He stated that his children in the United States are currently facing family emergencies that require his physical presence.
However, Justice Umar declined the oral request, directing Sowore’s team to file a formal written application to allow the prosecution an opportunity to respond before a judicial decision can be made. With his defense on the verge of being shut down and his movement restricted, the upcoming July 22 session stands as a critical junction in the high-stakes cybercrime trial.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
