The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, seeking to compel the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, to testify in his defense in an ongoing cybercrime trial.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar dismissed the application on Monday, ruling that the request would not serve the interest of justice.

The judge held that the DSS Director-General or any designated officer with sufficient knowledge of the agency’s official activities and other relevant matters could testify on behalf of the defendant.

Sowore, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the 2027 general election, had sought an order compelling Ajayi to appear personally as a defense witness.

His application was opposed by the DSS, whose counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, argued that the agency’s director-general did not have to appear personally to provide evidence on official matters that could be addressed by another qualified officer.

The court agreed with the prosecution’s position, holding that the evidence sought by the defense concerned official activities of the security agency rather than matters personal to its director-general.

Following the ruling, Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, called the third defense witness, Michael Jego, an investigating officer with the DSS, to testify.

The case arose from social media posts Sowore published in August 2025 on X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook, in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of misrepresenting the level of corruption in the country.

The DSS subsequently instituted a two-count charge against the activist over the posts, alleging cybercrime-related offences.

Sowore has denied the allegations and is presenting his defense before the court.

The trial is continuing.