Alleged cyberstalking: Lawyers’ engagement in verbal war halts Sowore’s trial

Exchange of war of words by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Adeyinka Olumide- Fusika and Akinlolu Kehinde on Monday, stalled the continuation of trial of an activist and Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore standing trial for allegedly calling President Bola Tinubu a “Criminal”.

During the proceedings on Monday, before Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, heated argument arose when Sowore’s lead counsel, Mr Adeyinka Olumide- Fusika, SAN applied for an adjournment on the ground that the document he needed for the day had just been released to him by the Court registrar.

Olumide-Fusika said, he applied for the documents on July 26, approved for him by the trial judge on July 27 but just released to him on August 3. He sought for an adjournment to enable him study the documents to enable him prepare for cross examination of his next witness, who is an official of the Department of State Services (DSS), prosecuting Sowore on a two-count charge of defamation on behalf of the federal government.

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At this point, DSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN opposed the application for adjournment, describing it as dilatory tactics to further delay proceedings in the trial and prayed the judge to foreclose Sowore’s defense.

He accused the defense of trying to frustrate proceedings and urged the judge to resist the adjournment request.

Apparently angered by the response of the DSS lawyer, Olumide-Fusika kicked against the use of dilatory tactics against him and in furious manners, said he was no longer ready to take nonsense from DSS lawyer.

He openly called DSS lawyer a persecutor in the open court. Tension rose when Olumide-Fusika, who insisted that dilatory tactics is an insult said, “What sort of talk is that. I am no longer going to allow you to take my calm attitude for granted.

“My calmness should not be taken for granted. Deal with the facts. What exactly are these alleged dilatory tactics?”

DSS counsel, in his reply said, “The point I am trying to make is that from March until now, only one witness has been called.”

Following the heated argument and exchange of unpleasant words Justice Umar intervened saying that, “I respect you enough. Any more of this conduct and I will refer you to the appropriate disciplinary body.

“This should be the last time. If you are no longer interested in the case, you should say so.You cannot behave in my court in that manner.

“I am adjourning this matter. I am not in a position to continue hearing the case today”, the judge held and without consulting the two lawyers, adjourned the matter till September 20, 2026 for continuation of the defence.