Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja facing charges from the Department of State Services (DSS). The allegations involve cybercrime offenses stemming from social media posts where he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Sowore is indicted on five counts of criminal defamation, with Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) named as co-defendants. The DSS claims Sowore published false and defamatory statements against President Tinubu on his social media accounts, invoking the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Despite previous adjournments, Sowore was arraigned. His legal team challenged the charge’s competence. After pleading not guilty to all counts, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition, with a condition to avoid statements threatening national unity and peace.