The Department of State Services will arraign activist Omoyele Sowore and two others on alleged cyber‑crime charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Sowore, a former presidential candidate, is scheduled to appear in court today to face accusations of posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu. The prosecution alleges that the posts were intended to undermine law and order in the country.
The charges, filed on 16 September 2025, list X Incorporation and Meta (the parent company of Facebook) as additional defendants, although only Sowore is present to enter a plea. The five‑count indictment claims that Sowore used his official X handle to tweet a statement that contravenes Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024. According to the charge sheet, the tweet was posted on 25 August 2025 and read: “This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” The prosecution argues that the post falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and is therefore subject to its authority.
Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by a group of supporters, and about 25 lawyers are present to represent him. The case has attracted considerable public attention, with many observers keen to see how the court will rule. Sowore’s plea marks the first step in the trial, which will proceed under the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024—a law designed to prevent and punish cybercrimes in Nigeria. The Act has been invoked in several high‑profile cases, and its application here will be closely watched.
As the trial begins, the court’s decision on the charges and the potential consequences for Sowore and the other defendants remain uncertain. The proceedings are expected to continue in the coming days, with further developments likely to emerge as the trial progresses.
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