The Department of State Services on Monday re-arraigned activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged anti-President Bola Tinubu social media post, as the Federal Government formally withdrew charges against Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation.
The prosecution’s move followed an amended charge that left Sowore as the sole defendant in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025.
Sowore was initially arraigned on December 2, 2025, alongside the two tech giants, but at Monday’s proceedings before Justice Umar, lead prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the earlier charge had been withdrawn and replaced with an amended one.
The court subsequently struck out the names of Meta and X from the case.
According to the amended charge, Sowore allegedly posted a message on August 25, 2025, via his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, which the prosecution claimed was false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The post quoted in court read: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The DSS accused Sowore of cyberstalking, contrary to Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
When the amended charge was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution applied to commence trial and sought to call its first witness, but defence counsel, Marshal Abubakar, objected, arguing that the amended charge was defective for failing to disclose the identity of witnesses or attach their statements.
Abubakar said the omission violated Sowore’s constitutional right to fair hearing, insisting that the defence could not adequately prepare without knowing the evidence to be relied upon.
“The witness sought to be called is unknown to the defence and, indeed, unknown to the court,” he said.
In response, Kehinde dismissed the objection as speculative, arguing that the Constitution did not require the prosecution to disclose the identity of witnesses before trial and that the defence could seek an adjournment if necessary.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Umar directed the prosecution to furnish the defence with the witness statement and adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for definite hearing.
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