Nigerian human right activist Omoyele Sowore, on Friday informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his decision to represent himself in the ongoing alleged cyberbullying case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), pending the constitution of a new legal team, Peak Newspaper reports.
Sitting before Justice Mohammed Umar, he made the declaration after the matter was called for the commencement of his defence.
The court had earlier fixed the date after refusing an oral request by his counsel for an adjournment, insisting that the trial proceed daily.
He is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services over alleged false statements made against President Bola Tinubu on his social media accounts.
When proceedings resumed on Friday, only the DSS counsel appeared, while Sowore’s lawyer was absent in court.
Explaining the absence, Sowore told the judge that his lawyers were afraid to appear, citing earlier court experiences, and that he would now represent himself pending new counsel.
He also informed the court that he would file and argue his own motions, including an application requesting the judge to step aside over alleged bias.
While the prosecution opposed the application, describing it as defective and an abuse of court process, the defence insisted on fairness and constitutional rights.
