Judge Adjourns Omoyele Sowore Trial After Lawyer Altercation

A trial involving activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore stalled on August 3, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The proceedings were interrupted by a heated verbal confrontation between defense counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika and prosecuting lawyer Akinlolu Kehinde, who represents the Department of State Services.

The dispute began when Olumide-Fusika requested an adjournment, stating that the court registry had failed to provide certified documents necessary to question a witness. Kehinde opposed the request, accusing the defense of employing dilatory tactics to deliberately stall the trial. The exchange escalated into a tense argument where Olumide-Fusika referred to Kehinde as a persecutor.

Presiding Judge Mohammed Garba Umar intervened to rebuke the lawyers, warning that further misconduct would result in a referral to a disciplinary body. Following the clash, Kehinde apologized to the court and the legal profession. Sowore faces charges of cyberbullying, criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement stemming from social media posts describing President Bola Tinubu as a criminal; he has pleaded not guilty.

Justice Umar adjourned the case for the continuation of the defense. While sources provide conflicting dates for the next hearing, most indicate the trial will resume on September 20, 2026, with one report citing September 28.