The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted activist Omoyele Sowore a final opportunity to continue his defense, warning that his case may be closed if he fails to proceed at the next sitting.
Justice Muhammed Umar issued the warning on Thursday, July 16, 2026, after Sowore appeared in court without his legal team, stalling the continuation of his defense.
Sowore told the court that his lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, was in the United Kingdom with the court’s knowledge, while Raphael Adakole, who was expected to stand in, was outside the court’s jurisdiction.
He consequently sought an adjournment to allow his lawyers to appear and also requested permission to make an oral application.
Justice Umar, however, said the application could only be entertained if Sowore elected to personally conduct his defense.
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Prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed the request, urging the court to end further delays. He noted that the defense had earlier been granted time to serve subpoenas issued by the court and argued that the latest request marked the 11th adjournment sought by the defendant.
Kehinde urged the court to foreclose the defence, citing the need to uphold the court’s directive for day-to-day proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that Sowore must be given every opportunity to defend himself, stressing that the court could not compel a defendant to present a defense.
The judge, however, warned that the adjournment was the final opportunity granted to the defendant, adding that failure to continue his defense would lead to its closure.
The case was adjourned until July 22, 2026, for continuation of the defense.