By our Reporter
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed the no-case submission filed by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in the cyberbullying suit instituted against him by the Department of State Services over alleged defamatory comments against President Bola Tinubu.
Delivering the ruling, Mohammed Garba Umar held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Sowore, requiring him to enter a defence.
The DSS had arraigned Sowore on a two-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying, accusing him of describing Tinubu as a “criminal” on his social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter.
Sowore had urged the court to discharge and acquit him, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish any link between him and the alleged offences.
However, Justice Umar ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to warrant an explanation from the defendant.
“In view of the evidence before the court, a prima facie case has been made out against the defendant requiring him to enter his defence,” the judge held.
Shortly after the ruling, tension erupted in the courtroom as Sowore openly accused the judge of bias.
The activist claimed he would not get justice before the court and called on Justice Umar to withdraw from the case and return the file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
Sowore further alleged that the court was working in concert with the Federal Government to secure his conviction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His counsel, Marshall Abubakar, also accused the court of favouring the prosecution and formally requested that the matter be reassigned, insisting that his client had lost confidence in the court.
Counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed the oral application and urged the court to disregard it.
Kehinde argued that Sowore, being represented by counsel, should not personally address the court on the issue.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar directed Sowore to file a formal application for recusal stating the grounds for the request.
The matter was adjourned till May 19 for Sowore to open his defence and for hearing of the recusal application.
