RismadarVoice Reporters, June 4, 2026
A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to put the cyberbullying trial of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore on hold, ordering instead that he commence his defence as early as Thursday, June 5.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the adjournment application filed by Sowore’s legal team, who had sought to push proceedings back until after the court’s upcoming vacation period.
The judge not only turned down the request but directed that future hearings in the matter be held on a day-to-day basis a signal that the bench intends to move the case along without further delays.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over allegations that he made false and defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, having referred to him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts. The DSS classifies the alleged conduct as cyberbullying-related offences.
With the adjournment plea now firmly rejected, Sowore’s defence phase is set to get underway immediately, marking a significant turn in a trial that has drawn considerable public interest given the activist’s prominent profile and the nature of the charges against him.
