The Federal Government has amended the charge filed against activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, reducing the earlier five-count charge to two.
Sowore, who appeared in court on allegations of publishing false posts against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was initially charged by the Department of State Services (DSS) on five counts bordering on cybercrime, defamation and incitement.
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Under the amended charge, the prosecution dropped three counts, leaving Sowore to face charges of cyberstalking and cybercrime, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The amendment also led to the removal of two other defendants from the case.
When the two-count charge was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution subsequently informed the court of its readiness to proceed with the trial, stating that its first witness was present in court.
However, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshall, opposed the move, arguing that the statement of the prosecution’s proposed witness had not been properly deposed to, describing the development as a violation of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantees the right to fair hearing.
In response, the prosecution maintained that the identity of the witness could not be disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the individual’s job.
Ruling on the matter, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, held that even if the name of the witness could not be revealed, the defence must be provided with sufficient information about the witness to enable adequate preparation for cross-examination.
The case was thereafter adjourned for further proceedings.
