The court also dismissed a request from Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, who asked for an adjournment of proceedings until after the court’s upcoming vacation. Instead, Justice Umar ordered that the trial should continue on a day-to-day basis, starting from Friday, June 5, when Sowore is expected to formally open his defence.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he made defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, including claims made on his social media platforms where he described the president in abusive and criminal terms.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the session was scheduled to address a response from the Chief Judge regarding a letter written by Sowore on May 19, 2026, in which he requested that the trial be reassigned to another judge.
He added that the defence had already received the Chief Judge’s reply dated May 22, which declined the request and directed that the trial should proceed before the current court. On that basis, the prosecution urged the court to order the defendant to begin his defence.
However, the defence lawyer argued that parts of the Chief Judge’s response suggested that a formal application should be filed for consideration in open court. He also asked for an adjournment, saying it would allow his client time to prepare and participate in political activities ahead of the next presidential election.
The prosecution countered this interpretation, insisting that the Chief Judge’s communication did not require any additional application and that the defence was attempting to delay proceedings unnecessarily. He maintained that the matter before the court was strictly criminal and unrelated to political ambitions.
After both sides disagreed over the meaning of the Chief Judge’s letter, Justice Umar personally reviewed the document in open court. He ruled that the defence’s interpretation was incorrect, stating that the letter contained no instruction requiring a fresh application.
The judge further clarified that the court was not preventing the defendant from filing any motions but emphasized that such steps could be taken at any stage before judgment.
He concluded that the case had reached the stage where the defendant must present his defence, and accordingly ordered Sowore to proceed.
Justice Umar also directed that the trial should continue daily in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Following the ruling, the defence again requested an adjournment until after the vacation period, but the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the court had already given a clear directive for continuous hearing and that there was no legal basis for delay.
The prosecution further warned that failure to proceed with the defence could lead to the case being closed against the defendant.
Justice Umar thereafter adjourned the matter until June 5, when Sowore is expected to open his defence.