Sowore Subpoenas INEC Chairman, Joe Igbokwe In Tinubu Defamation Trial

Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has secured court subpoenas compelling the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, and Lagos-based All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, to appear as witnesses in his ongoing trial over his description of President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

Sowore disclosed that the two individuals are expected to testify on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja in the criminal defamation case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The activist made the disclosure on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after proceedings at the court.

He said the court had accepted the subpoenas issued to Amupitan and Igbokwe, insisting that both men were expected to appear and give evidence at the next hearing.

“One of them is the INEC chairman. I hope you heard that. Because I know when you go here, when you leave this place, the DSS will write your report for you.

“But report this, because you are in court, that the INEC chairman has the subpoena to come and give testimony on Wednesday. And that’s going to be interesting. I don’t want to disclose why we are subpoenaing.

“And then the next one is Joe Igbokwe, who lives in Lagos. So the judge has accepted that these people must be present in court,” Sowore said.

He warned the prosecution against attempting to challenge the subpoenas or prevent the two witnesses from appearing when the case resumes on Wednesday.

Although Sowore declined to disclose the specific reasons for summoning Amupitan and Igbokwe, he described their expected testimonies as significant to his defence.

The activist indicated that his defence would extend beyond the allegation of criminal defamation to broader questions concerning Tinubu’s public records, identity and the circumstances surrounding his emergence as President.

Sowore is facing prosecution by the DSS over his refusal to retract his description of Tinubu as a criminal, a remark that has become the centre of the legal dispute.

The activist has maintained his position and linked the prosecution to his longstanding criticism of the President.