Alleged Cyberbullying: Sowore To Continue Defence October 2 As DSS Rejects Long Adjournment

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until October 2, 2026, for the continuation of the defence of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in the alleged cyberbullying case filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The case resumed on Monday amid reports that the DSS might seek a lengthy adjournment to allow Sowore to concentrate on his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

At the resumed hearing, Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, told the court that he had read reports suggesting that the DSS would ask for a long adjournment for his client to focus on his presidential campaign.

However, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, expressed surprise that Sowore’s lawyer was relying on media reports in proceedings before the court.

Kehinde said instructions from his client were confidential and could not have been obtained from social media reports, adding that the DSS was ready to proceed with the case.

The development appeared to take Sowore’s legal team by surprise, as the defence had apparently anticipated that the prosecution would seek a lengthy adjournment.

The case stems from posts allegedly made by Sowore on X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook in August 2025, in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of making false claims about the level of corruption in the country.

Following Sowore’s refusal to delete the posts despite appeals reportedly made by the DSS, the agency approached the court over whether describing another person as a “criminal” in such circumstances amounted to cyberbullying.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until October 2, 2026, for continuation of the defence.