A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning to African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, over repeated delays in his ongoing criminal defamation case.
At Thursday’s hearing, Justice Mohammed Umar cautioned that the court would foreclose Sowore’s defence if he or his counsel failed to proceed on the next adjourned date.
The warning followed the absence of Sowore’s lead lawyer, Olumide Fusika, who was said to be abroad on family matters.
Counsel Marshall Abubakar pleaded for another adjournment, but Department of State Services lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed the request, stressing that the defence had consistently stalled proceedings despite an earlier order for accelerated hearing.
Justice Umar noted that the court had previously accommodated the defence but would no longer tolerate unnecessary delays.
He granted what he described as a final adjournment, fixing July 22 for continuation of Sowore’s defence.Sowore is facing trial for allegedly referring to President
