The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged cyberstalking case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore to March 5, 2026.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the adjournment on Wednesday to allow the defence more time to continue cross-examining the prosecution’s first witness, Cyril Nosike, a DSS operative.
In his ruling, the judge said the decision was taken in the interest of justice, stressing that the court must ensure fairness and give the defendant adequate opportunity to respond to developments in the case. He noted that while concerns had been raised about how the proceedings were unfolding, due process must remain the guiding principle.
“In the spirit of fairness, I am inclined to adjourn this matter for the last time to allow for further cross-examination,” Justice Umar said, before fixing March 5, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
Sowore is facing trial over allegations that he cyberstalked President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a “criminal,” in a case brought by the DSS.
At the resumed hearing last Tuesday, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, began cross-examining Nosike. During questioning, the defence probed whether the DSS conducts security and background checks on individuals nominated for sensitive public offices such as ambassadors, ministers, and judges. The witness said he was not aware if such duties were carried out by the agency.
Marshal also questioned Nosike on why the DSS allegedly cleared former presidential aide Reno Omokri for an ambassadorial nomination despite public comments in which Omokri described President Tinubu as an “international drug baron.” Nosike told the court he could not explain the basis for Omokri’s clearance.
The court was further taken through a public statement attributed to President Tinubu, in which he reportedly said he would protect the constitutional right of Nigerians to criticise or insult him. When asked if he was aware of such a statement, the DSS witness gave no clear response.
Marshal then questioned why charges were brought against Sowore if the President had publicly affirmed citizens’ free speech rights under the Constitution.
Following this line of questioning, the defence sought permission to tender two video clips as evidence, one showing Omokri’s controversial comment, and another showing President Tinubu speaking about the right of Nigerians to freely criticise him.
Counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, objected, arguing that the defence was attempting to “play to the gallery.” He also opposed the admission of the videos, saying the person who produced them was not listed as a witness and therefore could not properly tender them in court.
However, in a bench ruling, Justice Umar admitted the video clips as exhibits after briefly considering their relevance under the Evidence Act 2023.
It will be recalled that in December 2025, the Senate confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees of President Tinubu, including Reno Omokri, following a screening exercise by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which declared all nominees suitable for appointment.