The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a case of defamation brought by a former lawmaker, Ned Nwoko, against human rights activist and 2023 presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore and media organisation, Sahara Reporters.
The case could not go ahead due to the inability of the complainant to serve Sahara Reporters media outlet. The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 25.
Sowore had been slammed with charges of “cyberstalking.”
Supporters showed solidarity with the activist as they displayed his campaign posters within the court premises.
Sowore is running for President on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC).
For leading revolutionary anti-government campaigns, Sowore has been arrested and detained about eight times in various detention centres in the last few years. Regardless, he has remained consistent in his activism.
Speaking on the Nwoko case in a Facebook video on Wednesday morning, Sowore said, “Ned Nwoko never officially, on his own appeared before the police to make any complaint. He sent a third party. They think that they can buy justice and we have said this is impossible. I decided to make myself available when my lawyer was arrested to repudiate the insult that I jumped bail.
“I couldn’t just live with it and I’ve been to the police several times after that and this morning, I drove to the police so I could accompany them to court and this has affected our campaign for the presidency. We also have been given a date, May 3, to start the hearing of the case that we filed against the police and Ned Nwoko for violation of my right and N200million is at stake. We want to conclude that case on time so that we can plan well into the campaign.
“It is safe to say that this case would have collapsed under the weight of their inconsistencies and witnesses but we will keep you updated. The most important thing is to take care of this country; the country has gone down to the toilet. The President, as I’m aware, has run away; next time, vote for people who can lead; his wife has also permanently decamped from Nigeria to the UAE.
“I learnt that police will embark on a strike, if it is true, I will join them because the police need better conditions of service; they need proper training, so they won’t be carrying bags and plates of food for common criminals who claim they’re billionaires in the country.”
Also, Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, stated, “Those who want justice must prepare for war. While seeking justice, definitely, those who don’t want justice, the oppressors will continue to engage you and one of the instruments of engaging us as human rights activists, as people who believe in a decent society, of course, is the court. Omoyele Sowore is here today and is available at any point in time for any arraignment, charges.
“What we believe is that justice is certain. It may tarry for a while but it is certain, people are getting tired of this country because leadership and government have been hijacked by spineless entity, we can’t continue to allow people who don’t have their neck well screwed on their shoulder to use the instrumentality of government against the genuine people.
‘We have a new date and hopefully, we’ll be here in court. We also expect that before that new date, there might be fresh charges.”
