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Justice Muhammed Umar of the High Court in Abuja has given African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, a final opportunity to continue his defence, warning that the court may close his case if he fails to proceed at the next hearing.
The warning followed the absence of Sowore‘s legal team at the resumed hearing, despite the defendant being present in court.
Sowore informed the court that his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was in the United Kingdom with the court’s knowledge, while another lawyer handling the matter, Raphael Adakole, was out of jurisdiction.
He requested an adjournment to enable his lawyers to appear and also sought permission to make an oral application.
Justice Umar, however, ruled that Sowore could only move the application himself if he intended to conduct his own defence.
Opposing the request, prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde reminded the court that the matter had been adjourned for the defence to serve court-issued subpoenas and noted that the lead counsel’s absence had previously been held not to justify delaying proceedings.
He also pointed to the court’s existing order for a day-to-day trial, arguing that the adjournment request represented the defendant’s 11th application for postponement, contrary to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
He urged the court to close the defence and make the necessary consequential orders.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that the principles of fair hearing require that the defendant be given every reasonable opportunity to present his defence, stressing that the court could not compel him to do so.
However, the judge said the adjournment would be the last granted for that purpose, warning that the defence would be foreclosed if Sowore failed to continue his case at the next sitting.
The matter was adjourned until July 22, 2026.
