Abuja Court Rejects Sowore Uncertified Documents

A Federal High Court in Abuja rejected Omoyele Sowore’s attempt to tender uncertified documents in his defamation trial against President Bola Tinubu, citing the need for certification since the documents were public records in the custody of a lawyer. Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar overruled the defense’s bid to admit a summary of proceedings related to a witness codenamed XYZ and accompanying letters, ruling that certification is necessary to ensure authenticity. The defense sought to introduce the documents through third witness Wayne Chikezie Elijah, while the prosecution argued the items could not be admitted without proper certification under the Evidence Act. DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde pointed out that the documents were public records requiring certification, a point the court upheld after noting the documents had been in the custody of counsel. Across multiple reports, the court’s stance on certification was consistent, and Sowore’s attempt to introduce the exhibits was unsuccessful, keeping the trial on track with the existing evidentiary requirements. The proceedings indicate the trial will continue without the uncertified documents, as the court maintains strict adherence to admissibility standards.