Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was arraigned on cybercrime charges Tuesday following social media posts that criticized the country’s president. A Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail but warned him against making statements that could threaten national peace .
The Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s intelligence agency, filed the charges. They relate to posts Sowore made on the X and Facebook platforms in late August . In the posts, Sowore referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.” This was in response to the president’s comments in Brazil about his administration tackling corruption .
The DSS also named the parent companies of the social media platforms, X Corp. and Meta Platforms Inc., as co-defendants in the case . The charge sheet contains five counts. They accuse Sowore of cyberstalking, defamation, and publishing false information . The agency claims the posts were false and could cause a breakdown of law and order .
Court Proceedings and Bail
Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him in court. His lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, had initially challenged the court’s authority to hear the case. He argued the charges were not legally sound . The prosecution lawyer, Akinolu Kehinde, objected to this delay. He insisted the arraignment must proceed first .
Justice Mohammed Umar agreed with the prosecution. He ordered Sowore to enter a plea . After the not guilty plea, Sowore’s lawyer applied for bail. He argued that Sowore was a two-time presidential candidate and a responsible citizen. He noted that Sowore’s international passport was already held by the court .
The DSS lawyer opposed the bail application. He told the court that Sowore might commit more offences if released . Justice Umar granted bail to Sowore on self-recognition. This means he did not have to provide money or a surety. The judge cited Sowore’s status and his previous compliance with court orders .
However, the judge gave Sowore a clear warning. He barred him from making statements that could undermine national unity or peace. Justice Umar stated that the bail would be revoked if Sowore made such comments . The trial has been scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026 .
Background of the Case
The court arraignment followed attempts by the DSS to have the critical posts removed.The agency had written directly to X and Meta. They asked the platforms to delete Sowore’s posts . Sowore publicly refused to delete the content himself. In a post on X, he stated that deleting the tweet was “one option I will NOT be taking” .
The legal action is based on Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act. The DSS alleges Sowore’s actions violate Section 24 of the 2024 amendment to this law . This section deals with penalties for spreading false information through computer systems .
Sowore’s History of Activism and Legal Issues
Omoyele Sowore is a well-known government critic and activist.He is the founder of the news outlet Sahara Reporters . He was the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) party in the 2019 and 2023 elections .
His activism has led to multiple arrests. In August 2019, the DSS arrested him for organizing nationwide protests under the “RevolutionNow” movement . He was charged with treason, cyberstalking, and money laundering. He spent 143 days in detention before being released on bail .
In 2020, a United Nations working group examined that case. The group found that Sowore’s detention had been arbitrary. They called on the Nigerian government to stop prosecuting him for organizing peaceful protests . Sowore has faced other recent legal challenges. Just weeks before this cybercrime arraignment, police arrested him again at a court complex. He was there to support the detained leader of a separatist group .
Broader Context and Responses
This case highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria.These tensions exist between state authorities and activists who use social media for criticism. The decision to also charge the social media companies is a notable development .
Sowore has responded to the pressure with his own legal action. He has filed a rights enforcement suit against the DSS, Meta, and X. He argues that trying to delete his posts amounts to unconstitutional censorship.
The court’s warning to Sowore about future statements links the case directly to national security concerns. The DSS has previously stated it believes his comments are a threat to security . The agency claims the posts could anger the president’s supporters and create political tension .
What Comes Next
All parties will return to the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 19,2026. On that date, the trial is set to begin . The court will then hear arguments from the DSS prosecution and Sowore’s defense team.
The outcome of this cybercrime case will be closely watched. It may influence how Nigeria’s laws are applied to online speech. It also tests the limits of public criticism directed at the country’s leaders.
For this report, information was gathered from Nigerian court documents and reports by local and international news organizations including the BBC, Punch, Premium Times, and Sahara Reporters. Official court rulings and legal charge sheets provided specific details of the proceedings and allegations.