ABUJA — Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, a final opportunity to continue presenting his defence, warning that the court may foreclose his case if he fails to proceed at the next sitting.
The warning came during proceedings on Thursday after Sowore appeared in court without any member of his legal team present to continue his defence.
Addressing the court, Sowore explained that his lead counsel, Mr. Olumide Fusika (SAN), was currently in the United Kingdom with the court’s knowledge, while another lawyer handling the matter, Mr. Raphael Adakole, was outside the court’s jurisdiction.
He subsequently requested an adjournment to enable his lawyers attend the proceedings and also sought permission to make an oral application before the court.
However, Justice Umar informed him that he could only personally move such an application if he intended to conduct his own defence.
Opposing the request for another adjournment, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, reminded the court that the matter had previously been adjourned to July 16, 2026, to allow the defence team serve subpoenas already signed by the court on relevant parties.
Kehinde further noted that Sowore’s lead counsel was absent at the previous hearing and argued that the court had already ruled that the absence of counsel should not hinder the progress of the trial.
He also drew the court’s attention to its earlier directive that the case be heard on a day-to-day basis, stressing that the latest request amounted to the eleventh adjournment sought by the defence, contrary to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The prosecution therefore urged the court to foreclose the defence and make the necessary consequential orders to move the case forward.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that the principles of fair hearing require that a defendant be afforded every reasonable opportunity to present his defence, adding that the court cannot compel an accused person to defend himself.
The judge nevertheless cautioned that the court would not continue to tolerate repeated delays in the proceedings.
“In the interest of justice, this court will, for the last time, grant an adjournment to enable the defendant continue his defence,” the judge ruled, warning that failure to proceed at the next hearing could result in the defence being closed.
The case was subsequently adjourned until July 22, 2026, for the continuation of the defence.
Court Gives Sowore Final Opportunity to Continue Defence, Adjourns Trial to July 22
