Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 2, 2026, for Omoyele Sowore to continue his defence in the alleged cybercrime case filed against him by the Department of State Services.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday after counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told the court that the prosecution was prepared to proceed with the trial.

Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, had informed the court that he had seen media reports suggesting that the DSS planned to seek a lengthy adjournment of the case to allow his client to concentrate on his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Kehinde, however, expressed surprise that the defence was relying on media reports concerning the proceedings, saying any instructions from the DSS to its legal team would be communicated through official channels.

He said he had received no instruction to seek a long adjournment and was ready for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.

The case stems from social media posts made by Sowore in August 2025 in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and made allegations concerning corruption under the administration.

The DSS subsequently petitioned the court after Sowore declined requests to retract or delete the posts.

Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has challenged the allegations against him.

The trial has been ongoing before Justice Umar, with the defence opening its case after the prosecution concluded its evidence. In August, proceedings were adjourned to September 20 after a disagreement between lawyers over documents required by the defence.

The controversy over a possible suspension of the case emerged in August after reports indicated that the DSS had directed its counsel to seek an adjournment until after the 2027 presidential election. The African Action Congress subsequently rejected the proposed suspension and called for the case to be withdrawn.

With the DSS now indicating its readiness to proceed, Justice Umar adjourned the matter to October 2 for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.

Sowore is the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress for the 2027 election and also contested the 2023 presidential election.