The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the arraignment of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore for October 27, 2025. He faces charges concerning alleged false and defamatory remarks directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The lawsuit, initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accuses Sowore of breaching the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, alongside violations of the Criminal Code Act. Notably, technology firms X (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (owners of Facebook) have been named as co-defendants in the case.
At the hearing on Tuesday, Sowore’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, contended that his client had not been formally served with the charges and opposed the arraignment proceeding. He also pointed out the absence of legal representation for X, whereas Meta’s legal team, headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Tayo Oyetibo, was present in court.
Justice Mohammed Umar, presiding over the case, confirmed after examining the court documents that Sowore had not received prior service of the charges. Consequently, the judge directed that the charges be served to Sowore openly in court, which was promptly done. The trial was then adjourned to October 27 for commencement.
The prosecution’s five-count indictment (FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025) arises from posts Sowore made on his verified social media accounts in August 2025. On August 25, using his X handle @YeleSowore, he allegedly labeled President Tinubu a “criminal” while criticizing remarks the president made during a visit to Brazil. The following day, the same statement was purportedly posted on his official Facebook page.
RELATED: Tension as Federal Ministry staff compel retired director to vacate office (Video)
The prosecution maintains that these posts were false, defamatory, and intended to provoke public unrest, citing infringements of Sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act. Additionally, they argue that the content constitutes the dissemination of false information under the Cybercrimes Act.
Sowore, who ran for president in 2019 and 2023 under the African Action Congress (AAC), has denied all allegations. He is expected to enter his plea when the trial resumes in October.
The involvement of major social media corporations as co-defendants highlights ongoing debates about the accountability of technology companies in regulating political discourse within Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Experts suggest that the outcome of this trial may establish significant legal benchmarks regarding the governance of online expression and criticism of government officials under Nigeria’s cybercrime and defamation statutes.
