Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, on Friday informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he would represent himself in an ongoing alleged cyberbullying case pending the reconstitution of his legal team. Sowore made the declaration before Justice Mohammed Umar shortly after the matter was called for him to open his defence on June 5.
The court had earlier fixed today for the defendant to commence his defence and ordered that the trial proceed on a day-to-day basis. The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
At the resumed hearing today, DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), was present in court, while Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, was absent. When asked about his lawyer’s absence, Sowore told the court that his legal team had declined to appear, citing fear following the court’s earlier ruling. He further told the court that he would henceforth conduct his own defence while seeking time to assemble a new legal team.
Sowore also informed the court that he had filed two motions, one of which had already been served on the prosecution, including an application seeking the recusal of the trial judge. Moving the application, he alleged bias and requested that Justice Umar withdraw from the case, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution. DSS counsel objected, describing the application as defective and an abuse of court process, while also arguing that it lacked proper authentication.
However, the judge noted that the motion appeared to have been signed by Sowore’s counsel in the court file and declined to strike it out on that basis. The prosecution further urged the court to dismiss the application, insisting it was intended to delay proceedings and frustrate the trial schedule. Justice Umar adjourned the matter until Monday for ruling on the recusal application.
Sowore, however, appealed for more time to enable him secure legal representation, but the court maintained its earlier directive for day-to-day hearing. The judge subsequently fixed June 15 for ruling and continuation of defence.
