Publisher of Sahara Reporters and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his decision to represent himself in his ongoing cyberbullying trial while he assembles a new legal team.
Sowore made the declaration on Friday before Justice Mohammed Umar when the matter came up for the opening of his defence.
The judge had earlier scheduled the day’s proceedings after directing that the case continue on a day-to-day basis. An application by Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, seeking a lengthy adjournment had been rejected by the court.
When the case was called, only counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), was present. Sowore’s legal representatives were absent.
Asked by the court about their whereabouts, Sowore said his lawyers had informed him that they would no longer appear in the matter following the previous day’s proceedings.
According to him, they felt uncomfortable with the treatment they received in court and had decided to withdraw from the case.
“Our lawyers indicated to me they are afraid before you and will not appear any longer because of the humiliation they suffered before this court.
“And pending the time I am able to reconstitute a new legal team, I shall be representing myself before your lordship,” he said.
Sowore also maintained that the Nigerian Constitution gives him the right to choose legal representation of his choice.
The DSS had arraigned him over allegations that he made defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.
