RismadarVoice Reporters
November 11, 2026
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday as his trial over social media comments describing President Bola Tinubu as a criminal continues.
The case, before Justice Mohammed Umar, follows criminal charges instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over statements Sowore published on social media in August 2025.
The activist has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include allegations of cyberstalking under Nigeria’s cybercrime legislation.
Wednesday’s proceedings are expected to focus on defence witnesses, including the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Joe Igbokwe.
The court had earlier approved subpoenas requiring both individuals to appear as witnesses following an application by Sowore’s defence team.
The defence also requested electoral documents relating to Tinubu’s 1999 Lagos State governorship election and his 2023 presidential election.
However, INEC filed an application on Tuesday asking the court to set aside the subpoena directed at its chairman.
The electoral commission argued that Amupitan was not personally served with the court document and challenged the description and custody of the records requested.
INEC also questioned the relevance of the documents to the criminal proceedings.
Sowore criticised the application, accusing the commission of attempting to prevent the production of records he considers relevant to his defence.
The court has yet to determine INEC’s application.
At the previous hearing on November 9, Justice Umar set aside an earlier subpoena seeking to compel DSS prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to testify.
The judge ruled that lawyers generally enjoy professional confidentiality protections concerning communications with their clients.
Following that ruling, the court adjourned proceedings until November 11 for the appearance of the proposed defence witnesses.
The case has attracted public attention because of its implications for political expression, criticism of public officials and the application of cybercrime legislation.
Sowore maintains his opposition to the prosecution, while the DSS alleges that his publications violated applicable laws.
As proceedings continue, the court is expected to consider the outstanding applications and determine how the defence will present its evidence.
No final judgment has been delivered in the case, and Sowore remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
