The Federal Government has filed a five-count criminal charge against politician and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Inc. (formerly Twitter) were also joined as co-defendants. The charge, dated September 16, was filed by Mohammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), is accused of contravening provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count one alleges that on August 25, Sowore used his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, to post a message referring to President Tinubu as “a criminal” and accusing him of lying about corruption in Nigeria. The prosecution contends that Sowore knew the statement to be false and published it with intent to cause public disorder, particularly among citizens with opposing views about the President.
The suit comes days after the Department of State Services (DSS) requested the removal of the allegedly defamatory post from Facebook and X.
If convicted, Sowore could face penalties under Section 24(1)(b) of the amended Cybercrimes Act, among other provisions cited in the charge.