Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the ruling on Monday, formally removing the two foreign technology companies from the proceedings
The Federal High Court in Abuja has re‑arraigned activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over alleged cyberstalking for calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a “criminal,” while dropping Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. from the case.
Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the ruling on Monday, formally removing the two foreign technology companies from the proceedings.
The decision came following an application by DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who withdrew Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and X Corp., which owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), from the amended charge.
Sowore was re‑arraigned on a two‑count amended charge accusing him of defaming the President.
The charges, filed on December 5, 2025, allege offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
According to the prosecution, Sowore posted messages on his verified X and Facebook accounts on August 25, 2025, labelling President Tinubu a “criminal.”
The government claims the posts were false, capable of inciting public disorder, and constitute cyberstalking.
Count One relates to the X post on Sowore’s handle, @YeleSowore, while Count Two addresses the similar content on his Facebook page.
Both counts are said to violate Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the amended Cybercrimes Act.
Sowore pleaded not guilty to both counts. Justice Umar adjourned the matter for definite hearing to Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The prosecution argued that Sowore knowingly made the statements with intent to incite public disorder or endanger lives.
They maintained that his posts amounted to criminal conduct under the law.
The amended charge was signed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the law firm Kehinde & Partners LP.
The prosecution team includes Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN (UK), Olukayode Enitan, SAN, Adeyemi Pitan, SAN, Kenneth E. Cyril Ita, Esq., and I.C. Anigbogu, Esq.
Earlier, Meta and X had been named as co‑defendants in a five‑count charge filed by the DSS on September 16, 2025, which accused Sowore of defaming President Tinubu.
That charge was filed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside other lawyers.
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