The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, seeking to compel the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, to testify in his ongoing cyberbullying trial.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar delivered the ruling on Monday during proceedings in the case.
Sowore is facing trial over allegations of cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu.
The judge held that the testimony being sought relates to the official duties of the DSS and not to the Director-General personally.
He ruled that any competent DSS official can appear in court to testify on behalf of the agency.
The court therefore dismissed Sowore’s application to compel the DSS boss to appear.
The ruling marks the fourth legal setback suffered by Sowore since the case began.
The court had earlier dismissed his claim that the trial violated his fundamental rights.
It also rejected his preliminary objection challenging the case.
The Chief Judge had previously refused his request for Justice Umar to withdraw from the trial.
Following Monday’s ruling, Sowore’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide Fusika (SAN), called DSS investigating officer Michael Jego as the third defence witness.
Jego was subsequently led in evidence as the hearing continued before the court.
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