Former presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offenses stemming from social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”
Sowore faces five counts of criminal defamation, with Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) joined as co-defendants. The DSS alleges that Sowore, through his verified social media accounts, published false and defamatory statements against President Tinubu. The charges invoke the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Earlier attempts to arraign Sowore had been adjourned twice. In November, DSS counsel Akinolu Kehinde (SAN) requested a bench warrant due to Sowore’s absence, but Justice Mohammed Umar declined.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competence of the charge, citing a preliminary objection already filed with the court. Lawyers representing Meta and X did not oppose the matter proceeding.
Abubakar argued that his client could not yet take a plea, while Kehinde insisted that the defense’s application was premature and accused it of deliberately delaying proceedings.
Citing Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to take Sowore’s plea first. Justice Umar agreed, allowing the arraignment to proceed. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following the plea, Abubakar filed a bail application, requesting that Sowore be admitted on self-recognition or liberal terms, describing him as a responsible citizen prepared to stand trial. “My Lord, the defendant is a law-abiding citizen.
He is a two-time presidential candidate and, just three days ago, won an election as chairman of a major political party in Nigeria, AAC,” Abubakar noted, adding that Sowore’s passport had already been deposited with the court.
The DSS opposed bail, citing a 40-paragraph counter-affidavit and arguing that Sowore had previously breached a court order and might commit a similar offense if released. Lawyers for X and Meta did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Umar subsequently granted Sowore bail on self-recognition, barring him from making statements capable of threatening national unity and peace.
He warned that the bail would be revoked if Sowore made comments deemed detrimental to national security. The matter was adjourned to January 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
