Counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, on Monday denied in open court any knowledge of widely reported claims that the agency had directed him to seek an adjournment of Omoyele Sowore’s trial until after the 2027 general election.
The denial came during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Mohammed Umar. Sowore’s lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, raised the reported plan, prompting Kehinde to state that he was unaware of the statements and media reports. He described the accounts as social media creations and said he had no knowledge of any such position by the agency.
The exchange highlighted a sharp discrepancy with earlier coverage. On August 30, several Nigerian media outlets, including Channels Television, TheCable, Punch and Vanguard, reported that the DSS had instructed Kehinde to seek a pause in the case so that Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, could participate fully in the electoral process.
PREMIUM TIMES later reported that Kehinde himself had discussed the proposed move by telephone and explained its rationale.
SaharaReporters reported earlier on Monday that the DSS had reversed its position and directed its counsel to resume the prosecution. Sources familiar with the matter said the agency initially sought suspension after the Independent National Electoral Commission began the 2027 election campaign period on August 19, but later changed course amid dissatisfaction with Sowore’s continued criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his political activities.
A Vanguard report on August 30 quoted a source close to the DSS legal team as saying that DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi met Kehinde and senior officials in the agency’s legal directorate on August 20 to discuss the proposed suspension. The source said Ajayi considered it fair to pause the case so Sowore would not face the trial while campaigning. Sowore rejected the idea, insisting that the DSS withdraw the charges, apologise and return electronic devices seized from him and his associates.
The case stems from social media posts in which Sowore referred to Tinubu as a “criminal.” He has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution is proceeding under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Following Monday’s sitting, the court adjourned the matter until Friday for the appearance of a subpoenaed DSS witness and continuation of proceedings.
The latest courtroom exchange adds to earlier tensions in the trial. At the August 3 sitting, Kehinde accused the defence of using “dilatory tactics,” while Olumide-Fusika rejected the claim and accused the prosecutor of acting like a “persecutor.” Justice Umar intervened, warning both senior lawyers about their conduct and threatening referral to the appropriate disciplinary body if the behaviour continued.
The defence had earlier obtained a subpoena seeking to compel Ajayi to testify. After interventions involving Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the defence agreed to allow another DSS official to give evidence instead.
Sowore is expected to address the conflicting accounts at a press conference after the proceedings.
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