News Investigators/ The Federal Highway Court sitting in Abuja on Monday fixed October 2, 2026, for the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, to continue with his defence in the alleged cyber-bullying case brought against the politician by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Media reports had speculated last month that the DSS could upon the resumption of the court from vacation, seek a long adjournment to enable Sowore concentrate on his presidential campaign.
Mr. Sowore had in August 2025, published posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook describing President Tinubu as a “criminal” and accusing him of lying about corruption levels.
After spurning several appeals from the DSS to delete the posts, the secret police headed to court to seek interpretation on the legal basis for calling a President “criminal.”
In the course of the case, Mr. Sowore and his legal team recorded a string of judicial setbacks. First, the court dismissed his fundamental rights suit, ordering him to pay a ₦1.5 million penalty.
In addition, when Mr. Sowore made a no case submission, the court rejected it, asking him to enter his defence. Lastly, when he alleged bias against the trial judge, the Chief Judge dismissed Sowore’s petition, and asked the trial judge to go ahead with the trial.
At the resumed hearing on Monday day, Mr. Sowore’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), told the court that he read reports in the media that the DSS would be applying for a long adjournment to enable his client focus on his presidential campaign.
Responding, however, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, expressed surprise that Mr. Fusika would rely on social media reports on such a serious matter before the court.
The senior lawyer told the defence counsel that instructions from his clients are confidential and, therefore, could not have relied on social media reports, as submitted by Mr. Sowore’s counsel.
Mr. Kehinde, SAN, told the court that he was ready for the continuation of their defence, a move which seemed to catch Mr. Fusika off guard.
At this point, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, adjourned to 2nd October, 2026, for continuation of defence.
