Sowore Risks Losing Defence as Court Issues Final Warning Over Repeated Delays

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final warning to Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), threatening to foreclose his defence in an ongoing criminal defamation trial if he fails to proceed at the next hearing. The warning came on Thursday after the Department of State Services (DSS) accused the defendant of repeatedly delaying proceedings. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar gave the stern warning during Thursday’s proceedings after Sowore sought another adjournment citing the absence of his lead counsel, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN. When the case was called, Sowore was present in court but none of his legal representatives appeared.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore on a two-count charge of criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”. The charges stem from posts made on his official X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts in August 2025, responding to President Tinubu’s claim during a visit to Brazil that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

When the case was called on Thursday, Justice Umar asked Sowore: “Where are your legal team?” Sowore responded that his lead counsel, Olumide-Fusika, had travelled to the United Kingdom with the court’s knowledge, while his junior lawyer, Reuben Adakole, was in another jurisdiction. He pleaded for an adjournment, stating: “I will urge your lordship to adjourn the matter because it is a serious case and I will need a lawyer to defend me.” The judge cautioned Sowore that if he sought to make any application other than for adjournment, it would mean he was choosing to represent himself in court. “If you have any application to make, it means you are planning to defend yourself,” Justice Umar said.

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The DSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, vehemently opposed Sowore’s request, arguing that it marked the 11th time the trial would be adjourned at the instance of the defence. Kehinde reminded the court that there was a subsisting order for day-to-day trial under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. “This same excuse was given that the lead counsel was absent at the last adjourned date, and this court said that the absence of lead counsel cannot stop this proceeding,” Kehinde submitted. He urged the court to foreclose Sowore’s defence, arguing that the defendant was clearly not ready to proceed. “I urge your lordship, in the interest of justice which is a three-way traffic; justice for the prosecution, the defence and the society, to foreclose the defence and make a consequential order accordingly,” he applied.

In his ruling, Justice Umar acknowledged the defence’s right to fair hearing but expressed frustration with the repeated delays. The judge said: “Fair hearing demands that all parties be heard and the defendant presents his defence before court.” He granted what he described as a final adjournment to July 22, 2026, but warned that if Sowore failed to continue with his defence on that date, his defence would be foreclosed. “I have heard the application of the defendant… I equally listened to counsel to the prosecution that this is the 11th adjournment and that the defendant’s defence should be foreclosed. Fair hearing demands that all parties be heard,” the judge stated.

Sowore opened his defence on July 6, 2026, calling Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju as his first witness. Adeyanju testified that President Tinubu had, during an official engagement in Benue State, stated that Nigerians had the right to insult and criticise him as part of democratic governance. Video recordings of the President’s remarks were tendered as evidence. Under cross-examination, Adeyanju admitted that he had previously acted as Sowore’s lawyer but later withdrew from that role, and conceded that President Tinubu never suggested that the law should not take its course whenever an individual violates the law. The defence had previously filed a no-case submission, which the court dismissed, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring Sowore to enter his defence.

Sowore had been granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million with two sureties in like sum. The conditions required one surety to be a traditional ruler from his community and the second to own landed property in Abuja. He was also ordered to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar. Shortly after Thursday’s ruling, Sowore applied to the court to release his passport for submission to the U.S. Embassy, citing a family emergency involving his children in the United States. Justice Umar directed him to file a formal application, allowing the prosecution to respond before a decision is made.

The trial continues on July 22, 2026, with Sowore facing the possibility of having his defence foreclosed if he fails to proceed.

Sowore Risks Losing Defence as Court Issues Final Warning Over Repeated Delays

Police Constable Recruitment: 10 Important Things Successful Applicants Must Know

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has officially concluded the recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), marking the end of one of the country’s largest police recruitment exercises in recent years.

The commission published the names of successful applicants on its official recruitment portal, urging candidates to verify their status and begin preparations for the next phase of the exercise.

According to the PSC, the recruitment process was conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Character Commission (FCC), the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and State Career and Counselling Departments to ensure transparency, fairness, inclusiveness and strict compliance with the federal character principle.

The commission stated that the exercise was designed to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force by recruiting qualified Nigerians through a merit-based and transparent process.

Following the release of the list, successful applicants are expected to complete several mandatory requirements before they can begin their basic police training.

Below are 10 important things every successful applicant should know.

1. Check the Official Police Recruitment Portal

Candidates who participated in the recruitment exercise should immediately visit the official Police Service Commission recruitment portal to confirm whether they have been shortlisted.

The PSC said the complete list of successful applicants has been uploaded to the portal, while shortlisted candidates will also receive notifications through the email addresses and phone numbers provided during registration.

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Applicants are advised to regularly monitor their email inboxes, SMS messages and the official portal for additional instructions.

2. The Recruitment Was Conducted Through a Transparent Process

The PSC said the recruitment was jointly conducted by relevant government agencies to guarantee credibility and equal opportunities for qualified Nigerians.

The commission explained that collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs and other stakeholders ensured that every state of the federation was fairly represented in line with constitutional provisions.

3. Successful Applicants Will Undergo Police Training

Being shortlisted does not automatically make an applicant a police officer.

Successful candidates will report to designated Police Training Institutions across the country after the commission announces reporting dates.

During the training programme, recruits will undergo intensive instruction in:

• Physical fitness and endurance
• Drill and parade
• Criminal law
• Community policing
• Human rights
• Firearms handling
• Intelligence gathering
• Crime prevention and investigation
• Professional ethics
• Public order management

The training is designed to prepare recruits for modern policing responsibilities.

4. Medical Screening Is Compulsory

Every successful applicant must undergo comprehensive medical screening conducted by the Police Medical Team before admission into any training institution.

Candidates who fail the medical examination or are declared medically unfit will automatically lose their recruitment offer.

The PSC stressed that medical fitness remains one of the mandatory conditions for enlistment into the Nigeria Police Force.

5. Failure to Report May Lead to Disqualification

The commission warned that successful applicants who fail to report to their assigned training institutions within the approved period risk forfeiting their appointments.

Candidates are therefore advised to comply strictly with the official reporting schedule once it is released.

6. Take All Required Documents Along

Applicants are expected to report with both original and photocopies of the following documents:

• Call-up slip
• National Identification Number (NIN) slip
• Bank Verification Number (BVN) slip
• Original academic certificates
• Birth certificate or age declaration
• Certificate of state of origin
• Other supporting credentials submitted during the application process

The PSC warned that any applicant found with forged or altered documents will be disqualified and may face prosecution.

7. Follow the Approved Dress Code

Successful candidates are expected to report for documentation and screening dressed in:

• White T-shirt
• White shorts
• White canvas shoes

The commission noted that compliance with the approved dress code would facilitate smooth documentation and physical screening.

8. The Recruitment Exercise Is Completely Free

The PSC reiterated that Nigeria Police recruitment is entirely free of charge.

Applicants were warned not to pay money to individuals or groups claiming they can influence recruitment, posting or admission into police training institutions.

The commission advised candidates to report anyone demanding payment or offering recruitment assistance in exchange for money.

9. Beware of Fraudsters

The PSC urged successful applicants to rely only on official information released through its website and verified communication channels.

Candidates were warned against fake recruitment messages, unofficial websites and social media accounts spreading false information or demanding payments.

10. More Instructions Will Be Released Soon

The publication of the successful candidates is only one stage of the recruitment process.

The PSC said reporting dates, training institutions and other guidelines will be announced separately.

Applicants have therefore been advised to continue checking the official recruitment portal, email inboxes and mobile phones for fresh updates to avoid missing important information.

Recruitment Aims to Strengthen National Security

The Federal Government views the recruitment of 50,000 new constables as part of ongoing efforts to improve policing, enhance internal security and increase the manpower of the Nigeria Police Force.

The newly recruited constables are expected to boost intelligence gathering, crime prevention, community policing and law enforcement across the country after completing their mandatory training.

The Police Service Commission urged all successful applicants to remain disciplined, obey official instructions and avoid falling victim to recruitment scams as they prepare to begin their careers in the Nigeria Police Force.

Police Constable Recruitment: 10 Important Things Successful Applicants Must Know

BREAKING: “I’ve Never Met Him”: Gbajabiamila Files ₦15bn Defamation Suit Against PFIPC DG

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has initiated a high-stakes legal battle against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), demanding ₦15 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements. The lawsuit, filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, represents the latest escalation in a controversy that has gripped Nigerian political circles since late June 2026.

In the court filings, Gbajabiamila is seeking ₦10 billion in general damages, ₦5 billion in aggravated damages, and ₦200 million to cover the cost of the legal action. Additionally, the Chief of Staff is requesting a court order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and unreserved apology in five national newspapers, alongside an order directing Adeyemi to pin the apology on all social media platforms and online channels where the disputed statements were circulated, for a period of 30 days.

The lawsuit stems from a press conference Adeyemi held on June 25, 2026, during which he made explosive allegations against Gbajabiamila. According to court documents, Adeyemi claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent kickback from a purported ₦27.3 billion take-off grant approved for the PFIPC, that ₦400 million had already been paid through a proxy on behalf of the Chief of Staff, and that an additional ₦200 million was required to secure presidential approvals. Furthermore, Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila was involved in the suspicious death of one Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi described as an intermediary between himself and the Chief of Staff, and that the Chief of Staff orchestrated an assassination attempt against him along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in September 2025.

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In his witness statement filed in support of the suit, Gbajabiamila categorically denied all allegations, stating that he has never met, communicated, or had any relationship with Adeyemi. “The claimant has never met the defendant, never held any meeting with him and has never authorised any intermediary, representative, agent or proxy to demand or receive money on his behalf,” the court filing stated. Gbajabiamila also denied demanding or receiving any financial benefit from Adeyemi or his associates, abusing his office or manipulating security agencies, interfering with investigations or intimidating media organisations, or having any involvement in the death of Babatunde Tanimola or the alleged assassination attempt.

According to court documents, Gbajabiamila’s legal team from Pinheiro LP, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, issued a cease-and-desist letter dated July 6, 2026, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the allegations and a public apology. The letter was published in several national newspapers, including THISDAY, on July 7, 2026. However, rather than comply, Adeyemi proceeded to grant further media interviews, including an interview with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 13, 2026. Gbajabiamila argued that during the VeryDarkMan interview, Adeyemi made admissions that contradicted his earlier categorical allegations: Adeyemi admitted he had never met Gbajabiamila in person, had never conducted a video call or any verification to confirm the identity of the person he believed to be the Chief of Staff, that all communications were conducted through the late Babatunde Tanimola, and that he could neither say Gbajabiamila was lying nor affirm that he was telling the truth. Despite these admissions, Adeyemi allegedly repeated the allegations during the Channels Television appearance.

Court filings also disclosed that Adeyemi is already facing a separate criminal trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026. The charges relate to allegations of forged presidential documents and forged appointment letters, which the Chief of Staff’s legal team said formed the basis of Adeyemi’s public claims against Gbajabiamila. The PFIPC itself has been described by the Presidency as not a recognised government agency, with officials stating it was established using forged documents, although Adeyemi has maintained that the council is legitimate and was listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The FCT High Court has directed Adeyemi, whose address was listed as unknown but who is deemed to be within the court’s jurisdiction, to enter an appearance within 14 days after being served with the originating processes. The court warned that judgment may be entered against him in default if he fails to respond within the stipulated period.

In his witness statement, Gbajabiamila told the court that the allegations had caused grave damage to his personal and professional reputation, which he had built over several decades of public service. He said the repeated publications generated widespread public discussion and prompted enquiries from friends, associates, and professional colleagues within and outside Nigeria. Gbajabiamila stressed that while public officers must expect scrutiny, the allegations against him went beyond legitimate criticism and amounted to false accusations of corruption, bribery, abuse of office, and other criminal misconduct presented as established facts. He said he deliberately refrained from responding through the media because he believed the courtroom was the proper forum for resolving the dispute.

BREAKING: “I’ve Never Met Him”: Gbajabiamila Files ₦15bn Defamation Suit Against PFIPC DG