A Federal Top Court docket in Abuja has dominated that the Director-Common of the Division of State Services and products (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, isn’t required to testify in individual within the ongoing cyberbullying trial of on-line writer Omoyele Sowore.
Justice Mohammed Umar gave the ruling on Monday, preserving that every other officer with enough wisdom of the company’s professional actions may testify at the director-general’s behalf.
“To mention it should be the DG that should seem ahead of this courtroom to testify in recognize of an professional act performed through the SSS on this case is not going to serve the pursuits of justice,” the pass judgement on stated.
The ruling adopted objections from Sowore’s criminal workforce, which insisted that Ajayi seem as a court-summoned defence witness. The workforce argued that the DSS had breached an previous figuring out to ship an officer to testify on his behalf all through earlier complaints.
In its ruling, the courtroom held that the director-general or any designated officer with complete wisdom of the Carrier’s professional actions and different related issues may testify for the defendant.
Justice Umar additional mentioned that “the testimony this is anticipated from the Director Common isn’t private, however in recognize of an professional act or engagement.”
Following the ruling, Michael Jego, a member of the DSS investigation workforce, took the witness stand to testify on behalf of the director-general.
Jego instructed the courtroom that he used to be a part of the workforce that flagged Sowore’s posts on X and Fb and steered him to retract them.
He stated the posts, revealed on 26 August 2025, had the prospective to pose an important risk to nationwide safety. He additionally testified that he used to be a part of the workforce that monitored reactions to the publications.
All through cross-examination through Sowore’s recommend, Olumide Fusika (SAN), Jego stated President Bola Tinubu’s remarks all through an day out in Brazil have been taken out of context.
The costs towards Sowore stem from a publish reacting to a video of Tinubu talking in Brazil, wherein the President claimed his management had ended or considerably diminished corruption in Nigeria.
Sowore wrote: “THIS CRIMINAL @ OFFICIAL PBAT ACTUALLY WENT TO BRAZIL TO STATE THAT THERE IS NO MORE CORRUPTION UNDER HIS REGIME IN NIGERIA. WHAT AUDACITY TO LIE SHAMELESSLY!”
The remark bureaucracy the root of the costs towards the writer, who has denied any wrongdoing.
Sowore could also be the presidential candidate of the African Motion Congress (AAC) for the 2027 overall election.
The courtroom adjourned the case till Monday, 26 October, for continuation of the trial.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Practice us on: