The Federal Government has amended the charges against activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, reducing the initial five-count charge to two.
The amended charges, filed before a Federal High Court, relate to allegations of false online posts against President Bola Tinubu. Under the new charge, Sowore is accused of cyberstalking and other cyber-related offences, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
As a result of the amendment, two other defendants earlier listed in the case were struck out of the charge. When the two counts were read in court, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed proceedings, the prosecution informed the court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, that it was ready to proceed with the trial and had its first witness in court.
However, defence counsel, Abubakar Marshall, objected to the move, arguing that the statement of the proposed witness had not been duly deposed to, which he said violated Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on the right to fair hearing.
The prosecution countered that it could not disclose the identity of the witness due to the sensitive nature of the witness’s job.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that even if the witness’s name could not be disclosed, the defence must be provided with sufficient information about the witness to enable adequate preparation for cross-examination. The matter was thereafter adjourned for further proceedings.
