Sowore Seeks Court Order to Compel DSS DG, Onanuga to Testify in Cybercrime Trial

• Omoyele Sowore has asked the court for time to obtain subpoenas compelling the DSS Director-General and presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga to testify.

• The request followed testimony by a DSS witness who said he acted on the directive of the agency’s Director-General in writing to Sowore.

• The Federal High Court also rejected an uncertified document tendered by the defence and adjourned the case until July 28.

Publisher of Sahara Reporters and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for time to obtain court orders compelling the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, to testify in his ongoing trial over alleged criminal defamation and cybercrime-related offences.

The application was made during Wednesday’s proceedings after the defence argued that the testimony of a prosecution witness raised issues that required clarification from the heads of the institutions involved.

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Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, told the court that he intended to apply for a subpoena against the DSS Director-General after Uwem Davies, a DSS official, was unable to provide answers to some questions during cross-examination.

The lawyer also informed the court that an earlier attempt to subpoena Onanuga had been unsuccessful because court bailiffs were unable to serve him with the necessary court processes.

While giving evidence under subpoena, Davies told the court that he authored a letter dated January 22 directing Sowore to delete social media posts concerning President Bola Tinubu, saying he acted on the instruction of the DSS Director-General because the publications were considered capable of creating tension.

However, the witness denied responsibility for another letter dated September 7, 2025, addressed to Meta, insisting it was written by B. Bamigboye, a retired DSS officer.

In a separate ruling, trial judge Justice Mohammed Umar rejected the defence’s attempt to tender an uncertified court document through Wayne Chikezie Elijah, a former member of Sowore’s legal team.

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The prosecution objected to the document, arguing that it was neither the original copy nor a certified true copy as required by law.

Upholding the objection, Justice Umar ruled that the document was inadmissible because its authenticity could not be guaranteed, noting that it could have been altered while in the custody of counsel.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 28 for the continuation of the defence’s case.