Sowore Opens Defence in Suit Alleging Defamation of Tinubu

• May return to jail over bail conditions

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Omoyele Sowore, on Monday opened his defence in his trial on alleged defamation of President Bola Tinubu.

But the activist and publisher of Saharareporters might be remanded in prison custody again if he failed to perfect the bail conditions granted him last week by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Sowore is standing trial for allegedly calling Tinubu a criminal in his X and Facebook handles, although he pleaded not guilty and was initially granted bail on self-recognition. But he had his bail revoked after jumping bail last month.

However, the court last week admitted him to bail in the sum of N200 million and two sureties in like sum, upon a fresh bail application.

As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the court, and also directed that one of the sureties should be the traditional ruler of Sowore’s community.

The judge released Sowore to his lawyer to enable him travel to the United States embassy in Lagos, where he claimed he had his international passport.

When the matter came up on Monday, prosecution counsel, Mr. A. T. Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that the defendant was yet to fulfil the bail conditions, and accordingly asked the court to issue an order remanding Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Kehinde submitted that the orders of court were meant to be obeyed and since Sowore had not obeyed the court order by perfecting the bail conditions, the consequence was his remand until the conditions were fully met.

Although Umar released Sowore to his lawyer, pending bail perfection, the lawyer to the Department of State Services (DSS) argued that up till Monday, the defendant had not communicated to him pertaining any challenge in meeting the bail conditions or filed any application for bail conditions variations.

Kehinde stated, “The defendant was released to his lawyer to go and bring his passport to be deposited with the court. That has not been communicated to us, and other conditions of the bail have not been met. The law is trite, no sentiment.

”Our application is that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.”

Responding, Sowore’s lawyer, Mr. Olumide Fusika, SAN, told the court that bail was not for punishment but for the accused to attend trial, stressing that it is incorrect to say the conditions are yet to be met.

Fusika added that the verification of bail documents submitted by his client had been substantially done.

He assured the court that the passport will be deposited in court before the close of work on July 13.

The defence counsel further said there was a slight delay in the passport recovery from the American Embassy in Lagos because last Friday was the country’s 250th Anniversary celebration and they were on holidays.

Fusika prayed the court to allow Sowore to be in his care until the next adjourned date of July 13 as everything will be done to ensure the terms of bail were met.

Meanwhile, Sowore formally opened his defence on Monday by calling his first witness, Abuja-based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

Led in evidence by Fusika, the witness told the court that Tinubu, during an official engagement in Benue State, had said citizens had the right to insult, criticise, and call him names and that law enforcement agencies should allow citizens exercise their rights as part of democracy.

Adeyanju also said the president said the judiciary should be the guardian of the public and should not be used as instrument of oppression against critics.

The video clips of where the president was said to have made the remarks were tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibit via flash drive.

The matter was adjourned till July 13 for continuation of trial.