Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. as defendants in the amended cyberbullying charges filed against activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his alleged defamatory remarks against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision was delivered on Monday during the re-arraignment of Sowore, following a request by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to remove the two foreign technology companies from the amended charge. Justice Umar, in a brief ruling, granted the application and consequently struck out X Corp., owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, as co-defendants in the matter.
Sowore was re-arraigned on a two-count amended charge filed on 5 December 2025, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, and signed by Kehinde on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges border on alleged cyberstalking and defamation of President Tinubu in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the prosecution, Sowore allegedly made posts on his official X and Facebook handles on or about 25 August 2025, describing the President as a “criminal” in relation to comments made during an official trip to Brazil. The Federal Government contends that the statements were knowingly false and published with the intent to cause a breakdown of law and order, thereby posing a threat to public peace.
The offences are said to be contrary to Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. They are punishable by a minimum fine of ₦15 million or a term of imprisonment of up to five years.
When the charges were read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty to both counts.
However, the commencement of the trial was stalled following an objection raised by Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshall, who argued that the prosecution failed to attach the names and particulars of its witnesses to the proof of evidence. He submitted that the omission violated Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
The prosecution’s efforts to resolve the issue in court proved unsuccessful, prompting Justice Umar to adjourn the matter to 22 January. The judge ordered the prosecution to comply strictly with the law by furnishing the defence with the list of witnesses and all necessary documents required for adequate preparation.
The case continues to draw public attention amid growing debates over free speech, cybercrime laws and political dissent in Nigeria.
