By David Lawani, Abuja
Human rights activist, publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday withdrew his request to call the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, as a defence witness in his ongoing alleged criminal defamation trial involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sowore informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the evidence he had intended to obtain from the DSS Director-General could instead be provided by another official of the Service, effectively abandoning the subpoena earlier issued against the security chief.
The development came as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, personally appeared to lead the Federal Government’s prosecution for the first time since the commencement of the trial.
Fagbemi objected to the subpoena served on the DSS Director-General, arguing that the document the witness was expected to tender was neither authored by him nor required his testimony.
According to the Attorney-General, the letter in which the DSS advised Sowore to remove social media posts describing President Tinubu as a “criminal” had already been admitted in evidence twice by the court, making any further tendering unnecessary.
He further argued that the author of the letter, Mr Uwen Davis, had already testified as a defence witness on July 22 and that the document was already before the court.
Counsel to Sowore, Adeyinka Olumide Fusika (SAN), challenged the Attorney-General’s appearance in the matter, contending that the court records recognised Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) as counsel representing the Federal Government.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the trial judge, Justice Muhammed Umar, adjourned the case until August 3 for the continuation of the defence.
Sowore is standing trial over alleged criminal defamation arising from social media posts in which he referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal,” an allegation the Federal Government says is defamatory. The defence is expected to continue presenting its case when proceedings resume next week.
