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A heated exchange between two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika and Akinlolu Kehinde, on Monday stalled the continuation of the trial of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over defamation charges brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At Monday’s proceedings, a heated argument broke out after Sowore’s lead counsel, Olumide-Fusika, applied for an adjournment on the ground that a document he needed for the day’s hearing had only just been released to him by the court registrar.
Olumide-Fusika told the court he had applied for the document on July 26, that the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, approved the request on July 27, but that it was not released to him until August 3.
He sought an adjournment to enable him to study the document ahead of cross-examining the next witness, a DSS official.
DSS lawyer Kehinde opposed the application, describing it as a dilatory tactic aimed at further delaying the trial.
He urged the judge to reject the adjournment and to foreclose the defence, accusing Sowore’s team of trying to frustrate the proceedings.
Visibly angered, Olumide-Fusika rejected the characterisation of his request as a delay tactic and, in a heated tone, said he would no longer tolerate what he described as provocation from the DSS lawyer. He referred to Kehinde as a persecutor, using strong language in open court.
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Tension in the courtroom rose further as Olumide-Fusika insisted the “dilatory tactics” accusation amounted to an insult.
“What sort of talk is that? I am no longer going to allow you to take my calm attitude for granted,” he said, raising his voice. “My calmness should not be taken for granted. Deal with the facts. What exactly are these alleged dilatory tactics?”
Responding, Kehinde said: “The point I am trying to make is that from March until now, only one witness has been called.”
Following the exchange, Justice Umar intervened, warning both lawyers against further misconduct.
“I respect you enough. Any more of this conduct and I will refer you to the appropriate disciplinary body,” the judge said. “This should be the last time. If you are no longer interested in the case, you should say so. You cannot behave in my court in that manner.”
Justice Umar then adjourned the matter to September 28, 2026, for the continuation of the defence, without consulting either lawyer on the new date.
Kehinde later apologised to the judge, the Bar, and all present in court, saying the standard of conduct expected of legal practitioners had been lowered by the exchange.
