The Federal Government has filed a five-count charge against activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The case, lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja, also lists tech giants Meta Inc. (owners of Facebook) and X Corp. (formerly Twitter) as co-defendants.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was entered on Tuesday by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. M. B. Abubakar. Government lawyers argued that Sowore’s statements amounted to false publication, cyber harassment, and criminal defamation, offences punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as Sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
According to court filings, the controversy began on August 25 when Sowore, reacting to a speech by President Tinubu in Brazil where he claimed corruption had been eradicated in Nigeria, took to his official X handle, @YeleSowore, to write: “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.” Sowore later shared a similar post on his Facebook page the following day.
The Department of State Services (DSS) promptly flagged the posts, describing them as defamatory and dangerous to public order. The security agency reportedly wrote to both X and Facebook, demanding the removal of the content and the suspension of Sowore’s accounts. It also issued a letter to the activist, ordering him to retract the statement. The government’s decision to press charges followed what it described as a refusal by Sowore and the platforms to comply.
In its submission, the prosecution insisted that Sowore’s posts were calculated to incite unrest and inflame divisions among Nigerians with differing political views on the President. It further alleged that the activist deliberately attempted to tarnish Tinubu’s image internationally, despite knowing that his claims were false.
Among the exhibits to be tendered in court are printouts of Sowore’s contentious posts and copies of the correspondence exchanged between the DSS, Facebook, and X. The government believes these will establish a deliberate campaign to malign the President and undermine public trust in the nation’s leadership.
While the case underscores the rising tension between free speech and state power in Nigeria, it has also sparked debate among civil rights groups. Organisations such as Amnesty International have previously criticised moves to censor Sowore, warning that attempts to silence dissenting voices could further shrink civic space in the country.
As of press time, no date has been fixed for Sowore, Meta, and X to be arraigned. The case is expected to draw significant public and legal attention, given its implications for digital expression, press freedom, and the boundaries of criticism against public officials in Nigeria.
