The trial of activist and publisher of Sahara Reporter, Omoyele Sowore, was on Monday adjourned until September 20, 2026, after a heated courtroom exchange between lawyers representing the defence and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The disagreement prompted Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to caution both senior advocates against making inflammatory remarks, warning that continued misconduct could result in disciplinary action.
The drama unfolded after counsel to the DSS, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), accused the defence of deliberately deploying delay tactics to prolong the proceedings.
Kehinde argued that the defence had repeatedly frustrated the trial despite being given several opportunities to present its case. He urged the court to reject the defence’s application and, if necessary, foreclose its case.
According to him, the prosecution had fulfilled its obligations by producing a DSS official to testify in place of the agency’s Director-General, in line with an earlier understanding reached before the court.
Responding, Sowore’s lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide Fusika (SAN), dismissed the allegation, insisting that neither he nor his client had any intention of delaying the trial.
Fusika maintained that the defence had demonstrated good faith by agreeing that another DSS official could testify instead of the Director-General of the DSS, Dr. Tosin Ajayi, who failed to honour a subpoena previously issued by the court.
He explained that the day’s proceedings stalled because an application filed by the defence on July 22 had only come to their attention on the morning of the hearing, despite having been approved by the court on July 27.
According to him, the delay was caused by administrative issues at the court registry rather than any action by the defence.
He further accused the prosecution of attempting to portray the defence as obstructive despite the concessions it had made to ensure the trial progressed.
Following the arguments, Justice Umar urged both senior lawyers to exercise restraint in their courtroom conduct, warning that persistent use of inflammatory language could attract disciplinary measure.
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