Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by activist Omoyele Sowore in his ongoing trial over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.
The case was instituted against Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accused the activist of referring to Tinubu as a “criminal” on his X social media handle.
Delivering his ruling on Friday, Justice Umar held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendant, adding that Sowore had questions to answer regarding issues raised during the trial.
The court also ruled that evidence presented by the prosecution, including testimony from a witness, showed that the activist used his social media platform to make the controversial post.
Following the ruling, Sowore, through his lawyer, sought permission to personally address the court, which was granted by the judge.
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Addressing the court, the activist expressed doubts over getting justice in the matter, alleging that the court had previously humiliated his counsel by ordering him to kneel and had also subjected him to different forms of harassment during the proceedings.
Sowore subsequently requested that Justice Umar recuse himself from further handling of the case.
His counsel informed the court that a formal application seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the trial would be filed.
The matter was thereafter adjourned until May 19 for further proceedings, despite objections from Sowore’s counsel, identified as Mr Marshal, who argued that the date was not convenient.