By Vivian Okejeme
The Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore, Monday, opened his defence in the defamation suit filed against him by the federal government.
Meanwhile, the activist and convener of #RevolutionNow campaign is yet to perfect his bail conditions granted to him by the federal high court, Abuja.
In the cyberbullying suit now taken over by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Sahara Reporters publisher, is being prosecuted for allegedly calling President Tinubu a criminal in his X and Facebook handles.
Opening his defence in the matter, Sowore called his first witness, and Abuja based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
Led in evidence by Olumide Fusika, the witness told the court that President Tinubu during an official engagement in Benue state said citizens have the right to insult, criticise and call him names and that law enforcement agencies should allow citizens exercise their rights as it is part of democracy.
Adeyanju also said that the president said that the Judiciary should be the guardian of the public and should not be used as instrument of oppression against critics. The video clips of where the president made those remarks were tendered in evidence as exhibit via flash drive.
Meanwhile, at the resumption of the defamation, the prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN, told Justice Mohammed Umar, that the defendant was yet to fulfill the bail conditions.
Consequently, he prayed the court to issue an order remanding Sowore at Kuje Correctional Center.
Kehinde SAN argued that the order of court are meant to be obeyed adding that since Sowore had not obeyed the court order by perfecting the bail Conditions, the consequence is for his remand until the conditions are fully met.
Although Justice Umar released Sowore to his lawyer, pending bail perfection, the prosecution argued that up till Monday, the defendant had not communicated to him of having any challenge in meeting the bail Conditions or filing any application for bail conditions variations.
’The defendant was released to lawyer to go and bring his passport to be deposited with the court. That has not been communicated to us, and other conditions of the bail have not been met. The law is trite, no sentiment.’
’Our application is that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center until the bai conditions are met.’
However, counsel for the defendant, Olumide Fusika told the court that bail is not for punishment but for the accused to attend trial and that it is incorrect to say the conditions are yet to be met.
He added that the verification of documents have been substantially done. Fusika then assures the court that the passport will be deposited in court before the close of work on Monday.
The defense counsel further said there was slight delay in the passport recovery from the American Embassy in Lagos because Friday was the country’s 250th Anniversary celebration and they were on holidays.
Fusika prayed the court to allow Sowore be in his care until the next adjourned date, 13 July, as everything will be done to ensure the terms of bail are met.
Meantime, the matter continues July 13.
