The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has disclosed that the Federal High Court in Abuja has accepted subpoenas compelling the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, and Lagos-based All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, to appear as witnesses in his ongoing trial over his description of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a criminal.
Sowore said the two individuals are expected to appear before the court on Wednesday to testify in the case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The human rights activist made the disclosure on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is being prosecuted over his refusal to retract his description of Tinubu as a criminal.
According to Sowore, the court had accepted the subpoenas issued to the two individuals, requiring them to appear and give evidence during the next hearing.
He specifically identified INEC Chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan and APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe as the witnesses expected to testify in the proceedings.
“One of them is the INEC chairman. I hope you heard that. Because I know when you go here, when you leave this place, the DSS will write your report for you.
“But report this, because you are in court, that the INEC chairman has the subpoena to come and give testimony on Wednesday. And that’s going to be interesting. I don’t want to disclose why we are subpoenaing.
“And then the next one is Joe Igbokwe, who lives in Lagos. So the judge has accepted that these people must be present in court,” Sowore said.
The AAC presidential candidate also warned the prosecution against challenging the appearance of the subpoenaed witnesses when the case resumes on Wednesday or making any attempt to set aside the subpoenas.
He described the development as a significant step in his defence, suggesting that the testimonies of the two individuals would form part of his effort to challenge the allegations against him.
Sowore further indicated that the trial would go beyond the allegation of criminal defamation to broader questions surrounding President Tinubu’s public records, identity and the circumstances surrounding his emergence as Nigeria’s president.
The activist maintained that the prosecution was connected to his longstanding criticism of Tinubu and his refusal to withdraw his controversial description of the President.
The case, instituted by the DSS, centres on Sowore’s refusal to retract the statement in which he described Tinubu as a criminal, an allegation that has continued to generate political and legal controversy.
Wednesday’s proceedings are expected to provide an opportunity for the court to hear further arguments as Sowore seeks to advance his defence through the witnesses he has requested to appear.