Human Right Activitist Omoyele Sowore, on Friday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he would represent himself in his ongoing trial over alleged cyberbullying offences. The development followed the absence of his counsel when the matter came up before Justice Mohammed Umar. Asked about his lawyer’s whereabouts, Sowore said his legal team had […]
Human Right Activitist Omoyele Sowore, on Friday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he would represent himself in his ongoing trial over alleged cyberbullying offences.
The development followed the absence of his counsel when the matter came up before Justice Mohammed Umar. Asked about his lawyer’s whereabouts, Sowore said his legal team had decided not to continue appearing in the case.
He claimed the lawyers felt intimidated by previous court proceedings and would not return, prompting him to begin representing himself until he secures another legal team.
Sowore is currently facing charges filed by the Department of State Services over alleged social media posts in which he reportedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.
The activist also presented an application asking Justice Umar to withdraw from the case, alleging bias and humiliation. He argued that the circumstances surrounding the trial raised concerns about impartiality.
However, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, challenged the application and urged the court to dismiss it, maintaining that the matter should proceed as earlier directed.
Although Justice Umar had previously ordered a day to day hearing, Sowore appealed for additional time to engage new lawyers and prepare his defence.
The judge eventually fixed June 15 to rule on the recusal application and continue proceedings in the trial.