By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The cyberbullying trial of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been adjourned until November 3 by the Federal High Court in Abuja following his absence from Thursday’s proceedings.
Sowore, who is facing prosecution over alleged cyberbullying, was reportedly in Ekiti State for his presidential campaign activities.
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), drew the court’s attention to the defendant’s absence, while defence counsel, T. O. Etonyeaku, who held the brief of Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), requested an adjournment.
Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently drew attention to a letter personally written by Sowore to the court, prompting an exchange between the prosecution and defence over the propriety of the defendant communicating directly with the court while represented by legal counsel.
Kehinde argued that Sowore should have channelled his communication through his lawyer and ensured that the prosecution received a copy of the letter. He, however, did not oppose the adjournment in the interest of justice.
The prosecution also informed the court that the defence was yet to respond to a written address challenging whether he could be subpoenaed to testify as a defence witness.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter until November 3 for the adoption of addresses and continuation of the defence.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over social media publications made on X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook in August 2025, in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of misrepresenting the level of corruption in the country.
