Sowore Pushes to Compel DSS DG, Onanuga to Testify

The senior lawyer also informed the court that although a subpoena had earlier been issued for Onanuga, court bailiffs had been unable to serve him.

Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for time to obtain subpoenas compelling the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, to testify in his ongoing trial over alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation.

At Wednesday's proceedings, Sowore's counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), told the court he would apply for a subpoena directing the DSS Director-General to appear as a witness after a defence witness, DSS operative Uwem Davies, was unable to answer several questions during cross-examination.

The senior lawyer also informed the court that although a subpoena had earlier been issued for Onanuga, court bailiffs had been unable to serve him.

Davies, who testified under subpoena, told the court that he authored a letter dated January 22 requesting that Sowore delete social media posts concerning President Bola Tinubu. He said the directive was issued on the instruction of the DSS Director-General because the posts were considered capable of inciting tension.

However, the witness denied authoring another letter dated September 7, 2025, addressed to Meta, insisting it was written by B. Bamigboye, a retired DSS officer.

In a separate ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar rejected the defence's bid to tender an uncertified copy of a court document through Wayne Chikezie Elijah, a former member of Sowore's legal team.

The prosecution opposed the move, arguing that the document was neither an original nor a certified true copy.

Upholding the objection, Justice Umar ruled that the document could have been altered while in the custody of counsel, rendering it inadmissible in evidence.

The case was adjourned until July 28 for the continuation of the defence.