The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 27 for the arraignment of former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, on cybercrime charges. The case also lists social media platforms X and Meta (Facebook) as co-defendants.
Sowore, alongside the two corporations, is facing a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges stem from allegedly false and defamatory social media posts about President Bola Tinubu.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, Sowore allegedly used his official X handle, @YeleSowore, on August 25, 2025, to publish a post accusing the president of lying about corruption in Nigeria during a trip to Brazil.
The DSS contends the post was intended to incite public disorder, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2024.
The prosecution further alleges that Sowore repeated the same message on his Facebook page a day later, with the intent to stir unrest among Nigerians critical of the president.
Additional counts accuse him of defamation under Section 375 of the Criminal Code, and of publishing false information likely to cause public fear and disturb the peace, contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the scheduled arraignment stalled after Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshall, argued that neither Sowore nor the second defendant, X, had been properly served with the charge. The prosecution, led by Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), disputed the claim.
However, Justice Mohammed Garba, after reviewing the case file, confirmed that service had indeed not been effected.
He then granted the DPPF’s request to serve Sowore in open court. The activist accepted the court documents but invoked his right to three days to study the charge and prepare his defence.
Although the prosecution objected, Justice Garba upheld Sowore’s request and adjourned the arraignment to October 27.
While Sowore had legal representation in court, X was unrepresented, and Professor Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) appeared on behalf of Meta Platforms, the third defendant.
About the Author
