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Sowore faces five-count charge for allegedly spreading false statements about President Tinubu
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Social media giants X Inc. and Meta listed as co-defendants
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Human rights activist vows not to delete controversial posts
The Federal Government has arraigned human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged online posts targeting President Bola Tinubu, claiming they were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.
Court papers show Sowore faces a five-count charge, brought on behalf of the State Security Service (DSS) and the Federal Government, for posts made on his official X handle on August 25, 2025.
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The charges are said to contravene Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024.
Sowore was accused of tweeting: “This criminal @ official PBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
Despite DSS demands, Sowore reportedly refused to delete the posts. He confirmed the legal action via a Facebook post, describing the charges as “novel offences” invented against him.
“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial,” Sowore wrote.
The charges are being prosecuted by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four DSS counsel: M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor. Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are also named as co-defendants.
Sowore, who is the publisher of SaharaReporters and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, reaffirmed his refusal to remove the posts, citing freedom of expression.
“X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that tweet. Thank you, @X,” he said.
The case is scheduled to proceed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
