Adeyanju tenders Tinubu video in Sowore trial
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju on Monday testified in defence of activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting him over alleged cyberbullying.
During the proceedings, Adeyanju tendered a video of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which the President reportedly urged Nigerians to continue criticising and even insulting him on social media, describing such expressions as part of democratic governance. The court admitted the video as an exhibit.
Adeyanju told the court that Tinubu had also stated that security agencies and the judiciary should protect citizens’ rights rather than intimidate or persecute individuals for expressing their views about public office holders. He added that social media platforms are interactive spaces where users voluntarily express opinions and engage in public discourse.
The prosecution asked the court to revoke Sowore’s bail over the delayed perfection of his bail conditions. However, the defence explained that the delay resulted from administrative issues linked to retrieving Sowore’s passport from the U.S. Embassy during the U.S. Independence Day celebrations.
Justice Umar Mohammed declined to revoke the bail immediately and granted the defence additional time to perfect the bail conditions, noting that the court would avoid any impression of favouring either side.
The case was adjourned until July 13, 2026, for the continuation of the defence.
