Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the arraignment of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore until October 27, 2025, after Tuesday’s session was stalled due to non-service of the five-count cybercrime charge against him.
At the proceeding, the Director of Public Prosecution from the Ministry of Justice said the government was ready to arraign Sowore alongside X Corporation and Meta (Facebook) Inc., named as co-defendants. Sowore’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, however, told the court that neither he nor his client had been served with the charges. The counsel representing Meta also confirmed late service, while X Corp was not represented.
Sowore is accused of making an “offensive post” on his official X handle on August 25, an act said to contravene Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024.
DSS Ultimatum and Charges
The Department of State Services (DSS) filed the charges, alleging Sowore ignored a one-week ultimatum to delete what the agency described as a “false, malicious, and inciting” post about President Bola Tinubu. The ultimatum expired on September 15 without compliance.
Sowore Counters With Lawsuits
In response, Sowore has filed two fundamental rights suits against the DSS, Meta, and X Corp, describing the agency’s actions as unconstitutional censorship. His legal team, led by Tope Temokun, argued that the case is about the survival of free speech in Nigeria, warning that allowing state agencies to dictate who may speak online poses a threat to all citizens.
What you should know
Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential candidate and activist, faces fresh cybercrime charges tied to social media posts critical of President Tinubu.
While the DSS insists he violated the law, Sowore is positioning the case as a battle for free speech, escalating tensions between the state and online platforms over digital expression in Nigeria.
