Court dismisses Sowore's bid to compel DSS DG to testify in trial

The African Action Congress's presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has lost his attempt to force the Department of State Services' Director General, Tosin Ajayi, to testify in person during his trial. Sowore is facing charges for alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu. The Abuja Federal High Court's Justice Mohammed Garba Umar dismissed Sowore's request on Monday, evaluating arguments for and against the subpoena requested from the DSS Director General at the defense's request.

Sowore's attorney, Adeyinka Olumide Fusika, SAN, sought an order for the Federal High Court to enforce the DG's presence to testify about the DSS's activities connected to the cyberbullying case filed against him. The DSS, represented by Akinlolu Thomas Kehinde, SAN, opposed the move, asserting that another agency official could testify about the DG's behalf.

They argued that it was unreasonable for Sowore to insist on the DSS DG's appearance in court for an action that was entirely official and not personal. Justice Umar concluded that the subpoena pertained to an official act of the DSS, and the testimony expected was not personal to the director general. Consequently, the court ruled that another DSS official could present evidence on the agency's behalf.

As a result, defense counsel, Fusika, called the third defense witness, Michael Jego, an investigating officer with the DSS, to provide his testimony.