The Federal Government has re-arraigned human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a two-count amended charge of alleged cyberstalking against President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore, who pleaded not guilty, is accused of tagging the President as a “criminal” on social media platforms, including X and Facebook.
The amended charge, however, removes the social media companies as defendants, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant.
At the resumed hearing at the Federal High Court, counsel for the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, informed Justice Mohammed Umar of the new charge and indicated the government was ready to begin trial, with a witness available in court.
Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, opposed the motion, arguing that the prosecution had failed to attach the witness information and sworn statements to the charge.
Marshal cited Section 36(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, which requires that witness names and deposition be disclosed to the defence before trial.
Kehinde countered that commencing the trial would serve the interest of justice, noting that previous adjournments were at the instance of the defendant.
He added that the rules cited by Sowore’s lawyer applied mainly to Magistrate Courts, and that the defence could request an adjournment if cross-examination of intelligence witnesses was needed.
After hearing both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the case to January 22 for trial.
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