Cyberbullying Allegation: Sowore Declines Defence, Seeks Case Reassignment by Chief Judge

Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, on Tuesday did not open his defence in an ongoing cyberbullying trial involving allegations against President Bola Tinubu.

His counsel, Mr Marshall Abubakar, informed Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja that a petition had been submitted to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that the case be transferred to another judge.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged false and defamatory statements directed at President Tinubu.

He is accused of describing the president as “a criminal” in posts shared on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

Earlier on May 8, Justice Umar dismissed Sowore’s no-case submission, agreeing with DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to enter a defence.

Following that ruling, Sowore and his lawyer orally requested that the judge recuse himself from the matter, citing alleged bias.

However, the prosecution objected, arguing that such requests must be formally filed to allow a proper response, after which the court directed that a formal application be submitted.

At Tuesday’s sitting, Abubakar told the court that both Sowore and his legal team had formally written to the Chief Judge, asking for the matter to be reassigned, and supported their request with affidavits and supporting documents.

He added that the petitions explained the reasons for seeking the transfer of the case.
Prosecuting counsel Kehinde confirmed receipt of the defence letters dated May 19 but urged the court not to allow the defendant dictate the pace of proceedings.

He argued that the matter had reached the stage where the defendant was expected to open his defence, or formally indicate otherwise.

Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the case until June 4, pending the decision of the Chief Judge on the reassignment request.

NAN