By Vivian Okejeme
Proceedings in the alleged cyberbullying trial involving the convener of #RevolutionNow and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, took a dramatic turn on Monday as defence and prosecution counsel engaged in a heated exchange before the court.
Counsel to Sowore, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), accused the prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), of behaving like “a persecutor rather than a prosecutor.”
The altercation between both senior lawyers disrupted proceedings and led to an abrupt end to the day’s sitting.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, cautioned both parties to moderate their language, warning that he would refer them to the appropriate disciplinary body if they failed to conduct themselves professionally.
Responding to allegations by the prosecution that the defence was deliberately delaying the trial, Olumide-Fusika insisted that he had no intention of frustrating the proceedings.
According to him, if the defence had intended to delay the case, it would have insisted that the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr. Tosin Ajayi, personally appear in court in compliance with the subpoena earlier issued against him.
The court had last week issued a subpoena directing Ajayi to appear and testify. However, he did not appear in court.
During Monday’s proceedings, Kehinde accused the defence of employing delay tactics, prompting Olumide-Fusika to respond that the prosecution counsel had been conducting the case “as though he is a persecutor rather than a prosecutor.”
Following the remark, Kehinde accused the defence of filing frivolous applications to stall the proceedings.
A visibly upset Olumide-Fusika told the court:
“The matter is slated for the continuation of the defence. I am reliably informed that a witness is in court on behalf of the DSS Director-General based on the subpoena served on him.
“The case may not proceed because we filed an application on July 22, 2026, but we were informed that Your Lordship had not approved it. We only discovered that the application had been approved on July 27, a few minutes before the court commenced sitting.
“The problem is not with the court but with the registry. The document is relevant to today’s proceedings.
“The prosecution has failed to address the facts and has instead blamed the defence for not producing its witness.
“We granted a concession because of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). If we had intended to delay the case, we would have insisted that the DSS Director-General personally appear in court.
“We are not trying to delay proceedings. This court is on vacation. If I wanted to delay the matter, I would simply have insisted on proceeding with my vacation.”
Opposing the application for an adjournment, Kehinde argued that the defence had consistently adopted tactics aimed at prolonging the trial.
“I oppose the application because it forms part of the defence’s delay tactics to keep the case pending before the court,” he said.
“At the last adjourned date on July 27, both parties agreed that an officer from the DSS would appear to testify. The prosecution fulfilled its part of that agreement.
“It is settled law that once an application is filed, it is the responsibility of the applicant to diligently follow it up.
“I urge the court to foreclose the defence, as it has repeatedly been given opportunities but has consistently frustrated the proceedings.”
After listening to both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until September 20, 2026, for the continuation of the defence.
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