Sowore Opens Defence, Says Trial Is Political Persecution, Not Criminal Conduct

Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress AAC Omoyele Sowore, on Monday declared that he was standing trial not because he committed a crime, but because he chose to speak against corruption and injustice in Nigeria.

Sowore made the remarks after appearing in court as he commenced his defence in the criminal defamation case instituted against him by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I’m not appearing in court because I committed any crime. I’m being prosecuted because I chose to stand on the side of what is right in this country, and I will never be part of those who steal your money,” he told journalists.

He added that history often remembers those who refuse to compromise their principles, saying, “Sometimes, in the course of history, people like us appear once in a while.”

The founder of Sahara Reporters disclosed that lawyer Deji Adeyanju testified as the first defence witness, while the prosecution objected to Adeyanju’s appearance, citing his previous legal representation of Sowore.

Speaking on the allegations that led to the charges, Sowore repeated his accusations against presidential Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, alleging that he had previously exposed him over the alleged theft of $25,000 from a client while practising law in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sowore claimed that following the publication of the story, Gbajabiamila allegedly sought to have it removed, but he refused to do so.

“If I had compromised myself and taken down the story, you would not know that he’s a thief,” he said.

On the ongoing proceedings, Sowore said his legal team had agreed to handle all comments relating directly to the case, urging journalists to attend the hearings and report the proceedings objectively.

“It is an open court. Walk in there and cover the case. That’s what journalists do. Make your informed judgment about what the lawyers are doing in court,” he said.

He also disclosed that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, jokingly remarked that he was waiting to be convinced before voting for him in a future election.

“I want to announce to you today that even the prosecutor said that he’s waiting for me to convince him so that he can vote for me in the election. That’s progress made today. We are close to winning an additional voter,” Sowore said.

Reflecting on the possibility of imprisonment, Sowore said incarceration was an ongoing reality he no longer feared, noting that he had faced the prospect of returning to prison even on the day of the hearing.

“My persecution is an ongoing concern,” he said, adding that he might one day document his experiences in a book or film.