A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an attempt by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to tender uncertified documents in his trial over the alleged defamation of President Bola Tinubu….
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an attempt by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to tender uncertified documents in his trial over the alleged defamation of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar ruled on Wednesday that the documents, which included a summary of proceedings involving a witness codenamed XYZ and other letters, could not be admitted because they were uncertified public documents.
The documents were sought to be tendered by Sowore’s lead counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), through another lawyer, Wayne Chikezie Elijah, who appeared as the third defence witness.
Proceedings took a dramatic turn after the court registrar directed all prospective defence witnesses to leave the courtroom before testimony began. However, Elijah remained in court during part of the proceedings before later taking the witness stand.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), Elijah admitted he had been both inside and outside the courtroom while the first defence witness testified.
The DSS objected to the admissibility of the documents, arguing that they were public records and must be certified in accordance with the Evidence Act.
Fusika opposed the objection, maintaining that the documents originated from court records and therefore required no certification.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that the documents had been in the custody of counsel and could not be admitted without certification.
“The reason for certification is to be sure the document has not been tampered with. Having been in the custody of the said counsel, how is the court sure that the document has not been tampered with?”
The judge subsequently ruled:
“The document is rejected and marked as such.”
Earlier, a DSS official, Uwen Davis, a Principal Officer in the agency’s General Services Department, testified that he authored a letter dated September 7, 2025, requesting the Chief Executive Officer of X Corporation to delete a post in which Sowore allegedly described President Tinubu as a criminal.
The witness acknowledged that the letter stated that Tinubu’s supporters were becoming agitated and that the post could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Under questioning, Davis admitted he could not identify the supporters referred to in the letter, explaining that he wrote it on the instructions of a superior officer.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 28 for the continuation of the defence.
The judge had previously warned Sowore that he must proceed with his defence or risk having his case closed.