Former presidential candidate and publisher Omoyele Sowore was on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to a social media post in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”
Sowore is facing a five-count charge of criminal defamation. Tech giants Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) were also listed as co-defendants.
According to the DSS, Sowore allegedly used his verified social media accounts to publish false and defamatory statements against the President, an offence said to violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The arraignment had been postponed twice earlier. In November, DSS counsel Akinolu Kehinde (SAN) sought a bench warrant due to Sowore’s absence, but Justice Mohammed Umar declined.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the validity of the charge based on a preliminary objection already filed. Although lawyers for Meta and X did not oppose moving forward, Abubakar argued his client could not yet take his plea. Kehinde countered, saying the defence was attempting to delay the case and insisted that Sowore’s plea must be taken first under Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Justice Umar ruled in the prosecution’s favour, and Sowore pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Abubakar then applied for bail, asking the court to release Sowore on self-recognition, describing him as a responsible citizen who has served as a two-time presidential candidate and was recently elected chairman of a major political party. He noted that Sowore’s passport was already with the court.
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Sowore Arraigned for Alleged Cybercrime, Granted Bail by Federal High Court
The DSS opposed the application, arguing that Sowore had violated court orders in the past and could repeat the offence.
Justice Umar granted bail on self-recognition but restricted Sowore from making statements that could threaten national peace or unity, warning that the bail would be revoked if he violated this condition.
The trial is scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026.
