…legal battle with Federal Government continues
Sanni Abdullahi
ABUJA — Activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore appeared before the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja yesterday alongside 13 co-defendants, maintaining his refusal to back down as the court gave prosecutors one last chance to present their case over a protest they organized demanding the release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The court did not deliver any conviction or acquittal. Instead, the magistrate granted the prosecution a “final opportunity to present its case,” leaving the matter unresolved and pushing the trial further into a legal process Sowore has repeatedly called politically motivated.
The case stems from a public demonstration in Abuja where Sowore and others called for Kanu’s release from detention. For Sowore, the adjournment changes nothing about his stance.
“Despite multiple court appearances and what he describes as politically motivated prosecutions, Sowore remains steadfast in his commitment to justice, accountability, and the liberation of Nigerians,” according to an update released after the hearing.
That defiance was echoed in his familiar refrain: “An injury to one is an injury to all!” The slogan, long associated with his campaigns, drew nods from supporters gathered outside the Kuje court premises as proceedings ended without a verdict.
No Verdict Yet, Prosecution Gets Final Shot
Tuesday’s session at Kuje Magistrate Court was expected by some observers to bring closure to the charges filed after the Kanu protest. Instead, the court opted to keep the case alive.
“Omoyele Sowore today appeared before the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja alongside 13 others in the case arising from the demand for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the update stated.
“The court did not deliver any conviction or acquittal. Instead, the prosecution was given a final opportunity to present its case, meaning the matter remains ongoing.”
Legal analysts say granting a “final opportunity” is common when prosecutors have failed to close their case after several adjournments. It signals the court’s impatience, but also keeps the defendants under trial. For Sowore and the 13 others, it means more court dates, more legal fees, and continued uncertainty.
Parallel Battle at Federal High Court
The Kuje proceedings are only one front in Sowore’s ongoing legal battles. He is also facing charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja over comments he made about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In a separate case before the Federal High Court, Sowore continues his legal battle over comments he made regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the update noted.
That case relates to statements Sowore made criticizing the Tinubu administration. He has consistently argued that his words fall under constitutional protections for free speech and political criticism. Prosecutors, however, contend the comments crossed legal lines.
The dual prosecutions have become a flashpoint for civil society groups who argue Nigeria’s courts are being used to silence dissent. Sowore himself has framed the charges as part of a pattern. The court update reiterated his position: “Despite multiple court appearances and what he describes as politically motivated prosecutions, Sowore remains steadfast in his commitment to justice, accountability, and the liberation of Nigerians.”
A Long History of Courtroom Confrontations
Sowore, who ran for president in 2019 under the African Action Congress, has spent years moving between protests and courtrooms. He was first detained by the Department of State Services in 2019 over a planned “RevolutionNow” protest, an arrest that sparked international condemnation and months of legal wrangling before he was released on bail.
Since then, he has faced multiple charges ranging from treason to cyberstalking, most of which he says are aimed at crippling his activism and journalism. Each appearance, he maintains, strengthens rather than weakens his resolve.
Yesterday’s hearing at Kuje followed that pattern. No testimony was taken, no witnesses called. The magistrate’s decision to give prosecutors a final window means the defense will have to return, but it also avoids a conviction that Sowore’s supporters would have immediately decried.
Outside the courtroom, his supporters chanted as he left. The message was consistent with Sowore’s own words in the court update: “An injury to one is an injury to all!” — a reminder that he views his prosecution as an attack on broader civic rights, not just on him personally.
What Comes Next ?
With the prosecution now on notice to close its case, the Kuje Magistrate Court is expected to set a firm date for the next hearing. If prosecutors fail to present evidence, the defense could move for dismissal. If they do, the trial will enter its substantive phase with witnesses and cross-examination.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court case over comments about President Tinubu continues separately, adding another layer to Sowore’s legal calendar.
For now, Sowore leaves Kuje without a verdict but with his position unchanged. The activist who built his public profile on challenging power says the courtroom is just another arena for the same fight he started on the streets.
“Despite multiple court appearances and what he describes as politically motivated prosecutions, Sowore remains steadfast in his commitment to justice, accountability, and the liberation of Nigerians,” the update concluded.
