Sowore wants court to summon DG of SSS, Bayo Onanuga to testify in his defence

The trial of Omoyele Sowore has taken a new turn as he requests the court to summon the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) and Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for the agency, to testify in his defence. The request is made in response to criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement charges brought against Sowore by the SSS. The court's decision on this matter has significant implications for the trial and may shed light on the allegations made against Sowore.

Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist, is seeking to have the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) and Bayo Onanuga summoned to testify in his defence. This request was made in response to criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement charges brought against Sowore by the SSS. The trial has been ongoing since last year, with Sowore facing allegations stemming from social media posts calling former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu a criminal.

The case against Sowore is based on his social media posts made last year, which allegedly defamed Mr. Tinubu and incited violence. The SSS has brought charges of criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement against Sowore. This development highlights the increasing use of social media as a tool for prosecution in Nigeria.

The request to summon the DG of SSS and Bayo Onanuga raises questions about the role of the agency in the trial. The court's decision on this matter will have significant implications for the trial, potentially shedding light on the allegations made against Sowore. This development also highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the use of social media by public officials.

The outcome of this request is yet to be determined, but it has the potential to significantly impact the trial. Practitioners should closely follow developments in this case as it may set a precedent for future trials involving social media-related charges.