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 offences tied to his social media posts, in which he referred to 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 alleged that Sowore, through his verified social media accounts, published false and defamatory statements against President Tinubu on X and Facebook, in violation of 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 previously served on the prosecution. 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 the application was premature and accused the defence of 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 moved a bail application, urging the court to admit Sowore on self-recognition or liberal terms, describing him as a responsible citizen ready to stand trial. He highlighted Sowore’s record as a two-time presidential candidate and recent election as chairman of a major political party, the AAC, and noted that his passport had already been deposited with the court.
The DSS opposed bail, citing a 40-paragraph counter-affidavit, arguing that Sowore had previously breached a court order and could repeat such offences if released. Lawyers for X and Meta did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Umar admitted Sowore to 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.
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