Tempers flared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday during proceedings in the trial involving activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, as counsel to the Department of State Services, SSS, Kehinde Akinlolu, and Sowore’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, engaged in a heated exchange over what the defence described as abusive and derogatory language used by the prosecutor.
The matter was scheduled for continuation of the defence’s case, but proceedings stalled after Olumide-Fusika informed the court that the defence was still awaiting the release of the Certified True Copy of the summary report of a prosecution witness identified as XYZ, which he said was contained in the court’s file.
The senior lawyer told the court that the defence filed an application for the document on July 22, 2026, but only discovered during Monday’s proceedings that the trial judge had approved the request on July 27. He said the court registry had yet to release the documents to the defence.
According to him, the documents were crucial to the defence’s case, particularly for the cross-examination of the subpoenaed witness, adding that he had already prepared his questions based on the understanding reached at the previous adjournment.
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when Akinlolu objected to the defence’s submission and accused Olumide-Fusika and his team of employing “dilatory tactics.”
The prosecutor argued that the defence was not ready to proceed and was only attempting to prolong the case indefinitely. He urged the court to foreclose the defence’s case, saying the defence had failed to produce its witness despite several opportunities.
Akinlolu recalled that at the previous sitting on July 28, 2026, both parties had agreed that an SSS officer would appear to testify for the defence and identify the documents the defence intended to rely on.
“I submit that this is the appropriate stage for Your Lordship to close the defence’s case, having repeatedly afforded the defence opportunities which it has deliberately and persistently failed to utilise,” Akinlolu argued.
Responding, Olumide-Fusika rejected the allegation and insisted that the prosecution had failed to address the real issue before the court. He said the defence had applied for Certified True Copies of the charge and other court processes, especially the summary report in the court’s file, which it intended to use during cross-examination.
He explained that the prosecution initially opposed the application before the court eventually directed that the requested documents be released, adding that the delay was caused by administrative lapses in the court registry and not by the defence.
“We do not work in Your Lordship’s office or in the registry. We were informed that the documents had not yet been approved. It was only after further inquiries this morning that it became clear the approval had been granted earlier,” he submitted.
Olumide-Fusika maintained that it would be impossible to properly cross-examine the witness or present the defence’s case without access to the relevant documents. He also dismissed the suggestion that the defence was deliberately delaying the trial, saying he had postponed an official overseas trip to attend court.
“If I intended to delay this matter, I simply would not have appeared in court today. I cancelled my travel because I considered it important to be here,” he said.
The atmosphere became tense when Olumide-Fusika complained about what he described as repeated personal attacks by the prosecutor. He urged the court to ensure mutual respect among counsel and accused Akinlolu of habitually using derogatory and insulting language against him in open court.
Akinlolu then rose and attempted to interrupt him, insisting that he should stop speaking. Olumide-Fusika resisted, saying he was still addressing the court, leading to a heated verbal exchange.
“This court does not belong to you,” Akinlolu said.
“Does it belong to you? You cannot keep interrupting me,” Olumide-Fusika replied.
The senior lawyer further accused the prosecutor of behaving like a persecutor and repeatedly urging the court to foreclose Sowore’s defence and send him to prison.
“You are behaving like a persecutor, using the wrong language against me all the time. ‘Dilatory’ — what do you mean by that? Close the case, jail him, send him to prison,” Olumide-Fusika said.
The trial judge intervened and cautioned Olumide-Fusika to lower his voice, warning that he would have no option but to report him to the appropriate disciplinary authority if he ever raised his voice in court again.
The judge also urged both counsel to maintain decorum and control their emotions, noting that several junior lawyers were present in court and that such conduct set a poor example for them.
Akinlolu subsequently apologised to the court and to the junior lawyers present, acknowledging that his conduct had contributed to the altercation.
The visibly displeased judge said he was no longer in the right frame of mind to continue the proceedings following the exchange.
The matter was consequently adjourned until September 20, 2026, for continuation of the defence’s case.
