By Barth Ikiebe
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge bordering on cyberbullying, defamation, and publishing false information against President Bola Tinubu.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, also lists X Corp (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc., owners of Facebook and Instagram, as co-defendants.
Prosecutors on Tuesday alleged that Sowore, in posts made on August 25 and 26, 2025, described President Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of lying during an official visit to Brazil about his administration’s anti-corruption record.
The DSS said it wrote to the social media companies requesting removal of the posts, but Sowore declined.
According to the charge sheet, Sowore is accused of cyberbullying and cyberstalking the President through repeated online statements attacking his integrity.
He also faces charges of defamation for calling Tinubu a “criminal,” publishing false information regarding Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
During the proceedings, the prosecution tendered exhibits including screenshots of the disputed posts, letters sent to X and Meta, and Sowore’s responses rejecting takedown requests.
Sowore, who pleaded not guilty to all counts, maintained that the charges were politically motivated, a stance echoed by his counsel, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), who argued that the amended Cybercrimes Act no longer criminalises insults.
The Court adjourned the case to a later date for continuation of trial.
