A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, ordering him to open his defence in a cybercrimes case brought against him by the Federal Government.
The ruling, delivered Friday, means the court found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case sufficient to require Sowore to answer to the charges.
Sowore, who had argued that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not link him to any offence, had asked the court to dismiss the case without him entering a defense.
The presiding judge held that based on the testimony and documents submitted so far, there were issues requiring explanation from the defendant. The court therefore directed Sowore to enter his defense on the next adjourned date.
Details of the specific charges were not immediately restated in court, but the case stems from allegations of cybercrimes linked to online publications and statements attributed to Sowore.
With the no-case application dismissed, the trial will proceed with the defense opening its case. Sowore is expected to call witnesses and present evidence to counter the prosecution’s claims.
The activist’s legal team has yet to indicate whether they will appeal the ruling or proceed directly to defense.
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Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and publisher of Sahara Reporters, had faced multiple charges related to his activism and online publications in recent years.
The cybercrimes charge is one of several legal battles he has been engaged in since 2019, with cases revolving around alleged incitement, unlawful assembly, and offences under the Cybercrimes Act.
The Federal Government had maintained that the charges are based on alleged breaches of the law, while Sowore and his supporters describe them as attempts to stifle free speech and dissent.
The case has been adjourned to a date to be communicated by the court for the commencement of the defence.
THE CONCLAVE
