Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja without legal representation and renewed his request for the presiding judge to step down from his ongoing trial involving the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore said he represented himself after members of his legal team withdrew from the case, alleging persistent hostility and unfair treatment during court proceedings.

In a statement shared on social media after the hearing, he disclosed that he personally filed a fresh application seeking the judge’s recusal from the matter.

According to him, his lawyers decided they could no longer continue appearing before the court because of what they described as repeated maltreatment during the proceedings.

He also claimed that previous efforts to have the case reassigned to another judge were unsuccessful. Sowore said a request had been submitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the case, but the application was denied.

The activist further stated that some members of his legal team became uncomfortable with the proceedings and chose to withdraw, leaving him with no option but to conduct his own defence.

He noted that if the judge declines to withdraw from the case, the trial will continue despite what he described as growing tension surrounding the proceedings.

The case stems from charges filed by the DSS over comments allegedly made by Sowore in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal. He has consistently denied the allegations.

The matter has previously witnessed tense courtroom exchanges between the defence and the bench, resulting in adjournments and disagreements over procedural issues and defence rights.

The case remains before the Federal High Court in Abuja.