Court rejects Sowore’s bid to subpoena DSS’ lawyer in cyberbullying trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside a subpoena that would have required Department of State Services (DSS) lawyer Akinlolu Kehinde to testify as a defence witness in activist Omoyele Sowore’s trial over alleged cyberbullying.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar said lawyers owe their clients a strict duty of confidentiality and generally cannot be compelled to disclose communications relating to their legal representation.

The judge said a lawyer could be required to testify only in limited circumstances, including when the evidence concerns an uncontested matter or would not adversely affect the client.

After the ruling, Sowore’s lawyer, Ruben Adakole, told the court that the defence intended to call All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Joe Igbokwe and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan as witnesses.

Justice Umar ordered that subpoenas be issued for both men and adjourned the trial until November 11 for them to appear.