RismadarVoice Reporters
October 27, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, until Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a dispute over a subpoena seeking to compel the prosecution’s lead counsel to testify as a defence witness.
The development occurred during Tuesday’s proceedings in the cybercrime case instituted against Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The defence is seeking to call Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead prosecution counsel, as a witness in the ongoing trial.
However, the prosecution objected to the subpoena, describing the attempt to compel Kehinde’s testimony as vexatious, unwarranted and inconsistent with established legal practice.
During the proceedings, Kehinde declined to personally argue the objection because he had been named as the proposed defence witness.
Another lawyer representing the prosecution consequently made submissions challenging the subpoena.
After considering the arguments, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, directed Kehinde to file a formal application setting out his objections to appearing as a defence witness.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until October 29 for further proceedings on the dispute.
The latest development follows Monday’s hearing, during which the prosecution challenged the defence’s attempt to tender printed media reports relating to claims that the DSS was considering suspending the trial until after the 2027 presidential election.
Kehinde questioned the admissibility of the documents, citing Section 83(3) of the Evidence Act.
The defence’s attempt to summon the prosecuting lawyer has also generated disagreement over whether his proposed testimony is necessary and legally permissible.
Earlier, on October 19, the court rejected a separate attempt by Sowore to compel DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi to personally testify, ruling that an authorised agency official could provide evidence concerning official activities.
Sowore is standing trial over social media posts published in August 2025 in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.
The DSS alleges that the publications constituted cyberbullying, while Sowore has denied wrongdoing.
The latest adjournment does not resolve the criminal allegations or determine whether Kehinde must testify.
The court is expected to consider the prosecution’s formal objection when proceedings resume on Thursday.
