Former presidential candidate and publisher Omoyele Sowore was on Tuesday arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and defamation.
He faced a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, accusing him of posting false and defamatory statements about President Bola Tinubu on his verified X and Facebook pages. Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corp. were also listed as co-defendants.
The charges were filed shortly after the DSS asked social media platforms to remove the said posts. According to the prosecution, Sowore’s actions violated the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Though previous attempts to arraign him were adjourned, Sowore appeared in court on Tuesday. His lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the validity of the charges, arguing that a preliminary objection had already been served. The DSS prosecution disagreed, saying Sowore must enter a plea before any objections could be heard.
Justice Mohammed Umar upheld the prosecution’s position and ordered the arraignment to proceed. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
His lawyer immediately moved a bail application, asking the court to admit him on self-recognition, noting that he is a two-time presidential candidate and recently elected chairman of a major political party. He also mentioned that Sowore’s passport was already in the court’s custody.
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The DSS opposed the bail request, citing a 40-paragraph counter-affidavit and alleging that Sowore had previously violated court orders.
Justice Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition but issued a strict warning: he must refrain from making statements that could threaten national unity or peace, or risk having his bail revoked.
The case was adjourned to January 19, 2026, for the start of trial.
