Sowore drops bid to subpoena DSS director in trial

Human rights activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore withdrew his request to subpoena the head of Nigeria's domestic intelligence agency on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, during his criminal defamation trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Sowore, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, is facing charges brought by the Department of State Services over social media posts from last year in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

The development followed an objection by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, who made a surprise appearance to lead the prosecution. Fagbemi argued that the subpoena for DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi should be set aside because the document he was expected to tender-a letter asking Sowore to delete the post-was authored by another official who had already testified. Fagbemi contended that the letter had been admitted into evidence twice and that summoning the agency head was an attempt to delay proceedings.

Sowore's counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, initially opposed Fagbemi's intervention, arguing that another senior advocate was already on record for the...