The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of the Publisher of Sahara reporters media, Omoyele Sowore, on Cybercrime and defamation charges, following his absence in court.
During proceedings, Counsel for the State Security Service, SSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, urged Justice Mohammed Umar to issue a bench warrant against Sowore for hjs absent in court, having been served the charges and hearing notice from the last adjourned date.
Kehinde noted that the action of Sowore, staying away from court despite being served with the charges is an affront to the sanctity of the court and as such must be punished, urging the court to invoke its inherent power by issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant.
Justice Umar however noted that the order for bench warrant will not subsist for now, following the submission of the 2nd defendant, X Corporation that they have not been served the charge sheet even though they received hearing notice.
The trial Judge then directed that all parties should be duly served and then adjourned the case to December 2, 2025 for arraignment.
Earlier in the proceeding, the SSS lawyer had drawn the attention of the court to a letter by Deji Adeyanju, calling for an adjournment in the case, hence his request for a bench warrant, noting that Sowore is only taking the court for granted.
META (Facebook) INC, through their lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, aligned himself with the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant against Sowore, stating that the 1st defendant had accused them of taking sides with the prosecution.
The trial judge, Justice Umar, after taking arguments, fixed December 2 for arraignment.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
