A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday scheduled October 27, 2025, for the arraignment of politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, who is accused of making false claims about President Bola Tinubu, labeling him as “a criminal.”
The Department of State Services (DSS) had filed a lawsuit against Sowore for allegedly violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Criminal Code Act.
Also named as defendants are X (formerly Twitter) and Meta Corp (Facebook).
During the hearing, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, objected to the reading of the charges, stating that the bailiff had not served his client.
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He also pointed out that X was not present in court.
Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) represented Meta Corp in the proceedings.
Judge Mohammed Umar instructed that Sowore be served in court, a decision that was not contested by any parties, including Mohammed Babadoko, the director of public prosecution for the federation.
The judge then set October 27 as the date for the trial to begin.
Sowore, who ran for president in both the 2019 and 2023 elections under the African Action Congress (AAC), faces charges for allegedly violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.
The charges include that on or about August 25, 2025, Sowore used his official X handle, @YeleSowore, to post a message stating: “This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.”
He is accused of knowing this statement was false and posting it to incite a breakdown of law and order in the country, particularly among those with differing views about Tinubu, thus violating Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
Also, on or about August 26, 2025, Sowore used his official Facebook page to post a similar message, again claiming that the statement was false and intended to disrupt public order, which constitutes another violation of the same legal provisions.
