A Nigerian court has approved former activist Omoyele Sowore’s request to summon All Progressives Congress (APC) figure Joe Igbokwe and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Joash Amupitan as defence witnesses, but the chairman’s scheduled appearance in the cyber‑bullying trial has been stalled.
Sowore, the founder of the online news outlet Sahara Reporters, is currently facing trial on charges of cyber‑bullying. His legal team sought to call the two high‑profile figures to support the defence, arguing that their testimony could shed light on the matters under scrutiny.
The court granted Sowore’s application, formally authorising the summons of Igbokwe and Amupitan. The order was reported by Premium Times Nigeria, which noted that the defence had secured the right to call both individuals as witnesses.
Despite the court’s approval, the appearance of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan has not taken place as scheduled. The source did not specify the reason for the delay or provide a new date for his testimony.
INEC, Nigeria’s electoral body, plays a central role in overseeing elections and related political processes. The chairman’s testimony could be significant for the case, and the postponement may affect the timeline of Sowore’s trial.
<small>Source: Premium Times Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
