Sowore's 2027 Ambition: DSS Prosecutor Hints at Supporting Him Over Tinubu

A surprising declaration unfolded in court on Monday during the cyberstalking proceedings against Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress. A.T. Kehinde, SAN, the private prosecutor handling the case, stated openly that he might consider voting for Sowore in the 2027 presidential elections.

This statement emerged amidst a heated exchange in the courtroom. Sowore's lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, had accused the prosecutor of personalizing the case, a concern raised after Kehinde, SAN, sought Sowore's remand in prison, alleging non-compliance with his bail conditions. In his retort, Kehinde, SAN, vehemently denied any personal vendetta against Sowore. He then proceeded to articulate that he was, in fact, inclined to cast his vote for Sowore in the upcoming presidential race, provided Sowore could convincingly present ideas and programmes superior to those of other contenders.

The prosecutor's unexpected comment garnered significant attention in the courtroom, given his current role in prosecuting Sowore on behalf of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Earlier reports from SaharaReporters indicated that human rights activist Deji Adeyanju had appeared as the first defence witness in the ongoing cyberbullying trial initiated by the DSS against Sowore. Testifying before Justice Mohammed Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Adeyanju confirmed his long-standing acquaintance with Sowore, identifying him as a respected Nigerian citizen and the AAC's presidential flagbearer. Adeyanju also presented a video recording of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which the court accepted as evidence and marked as an exhibit, to bolster the defence's argument.

At the start of the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Kehinde, SAN, challenged Adeyanju's eligibility to testify, arguing that he also served as counsel in the matter and was therefore incompetent. However, lead defence counsel, Olumide-Fusika, SAN, quickly dismissed this objection, asserting that Adeyanju had never acted as counsel in the case since he took over Sowore's defence. Olumide-Fusika argued there was no legal impediment preventing Adeyanju from testifying as a defence witness.

He further informed the court of the defence's intention to play video clips, noting that the court registrar had been notified to provide a television monitor for this purpose. Despite the equipment's unavailability, Olumide-Fusika, SAN, affirmed the defence's readiness to proceed with its witness, in line with the court's directive for Sowore to commence his defence.

During his testimony, Adeyanju informed the court that he personally downloaded a video featuring President Tinubu, recorded before August 25, 2025, while the President was en route to Benue State. According to Adeyanju, President Tinubu stated in the video that Nigerians should continue to critique and even insult him on social media, describing such acts as integral to democratic governance. He further testified that Tinubu also emphasized that security agencies and the judiciary ought to safeguard citizens' rights and should not be deployed to victimize or oppress Nigerians for criticizing him or any other public official.

Adeyanju also characterized social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook as interactive spaces where users freely express their views. He added that users maintain control over their accounts and, in certain instances, must grant permission for others to follow them.

Meanwhile, the prosecution pressed the court to revoke Sowore's bail, contending that the defendant had not met all the conditions for his release and should therefore be remanded in custody until full compliance. In response, Olumide-Fusika, SAN, clarified that Sowore had traveled to Lagos to retrieve his passport from the United States Embassy. He explained that embassy officials could not process the request due to activities commemorating the U.S. Independence Day. Subsequently, Sowore authorized another individual to collect the passport on his behalf and deliver it to Abuja, stressing that administrative circumstances beyond his client's control were solely responsible for the delay in fulfilling the bail condition.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Umar stated that the court would allow until 4:00 p.m. for the bail conditions to be perfected, urging the defence to ensure prompt compliance. The judge added that the court aimed to avoid any perception of favouritism towards either the prosecution or the defence. Justice Umar then adjourned the case until Monday, July 13, 2026, for the continuation of the defence.