The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final warning to activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over the delay in the presentation of his defence in an ongoing criminal trial.
Justice Muhammed Umar, who presided over proceedings on Thursday, warned that the court could shut down the defence case if Sowore fails to continue with his defence at the next sitting.
The warning followed the absence of Sowore’s legal team during the resumed hearing.
Although Sowore was present in court, none of his lawyers appeared before the judge. The development stalled proceedings and prompted arguments from both the defendant and the prosecution.
Addressing the court, Sowore explained that his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was currently in the United Kingdom and that the court had previously been informed of the trip.
He also stated that another lawyer handling the matter on his behalf, Rahpel Adakole, was outside the court’s jurisdiction and unable to attend the hearing.
Sowore appealed for a fresh adjournment to enable his lawyers return and continue with the defence. He also sought permission to make an oral application before the court.
However, Justice Umar informed him that such an application could only be made personally if he intended to conduct his own defence without legal representation.
The prosecution opposed the request for another adjournment.
Counsel to the prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, reminded the court that the matter had previously been adjourned for the defence to serve subpoenas already approved and signed by the court.
Kehinde argued that the defence had repeatedly delayed the proceedings and noted that the court had earlier ruled that the absence of a lead counsel should not be used as a reason to halt the trial.
He further drew the court’s attention to an existing order directing that the case be heard on a day-to-day basis.
According to him, the fresh application amounted to the 11th request for adjournment by the defence, a situation he said runs contrary to the spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The prosecutor therefore urged the court to bring the defence case to a close and make the necessary consequential orders to allow the matter proceed.
In his ruling, Justice Umar declined the request to immediately foreclose the defence.
The judge held that the principle of fair hearing requires that every defendant be given adequate opportunity to present his case before the court.
He stated that while the court cannot compel an accused person to defend himself, it must also ensure that judicial proceedings are not endlessly delayed.
Justice Umar subsequently granted what he described as a final adjournment and warned that Sowore must continue with his defence at the next hearing or risk having his defence case closed.
The matter was adjourned until July 22 for continuation of trial.
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