An Abuja Federal High Court on Monday removed Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) from the cyberstalking case against activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.
The decision came after the prosecution decided to amend the charge, leaving Sowore as the only defendant in the case.
Sowore was first arraigned on December 2, 2025, on a cybercrime charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation were initially named as co-defendants.
The prosecution had alleged that Sowore, through posts on his verified social media accounts, published false statements about President Bola Tinubu, calling him a “criminal”.
At the resumed hearing, lead prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told the court that an amended charge filed on December 5, 2025, was ready to be read. The defence did not object.
The prosecution then withdrew the earlier charge and asked the court to strike out Meta and X Corporation from the case. Justice Umar granted the request, removing both companies as defendants.
The new charge claims that on August 25, 2025, Sowore knowingly sent a message on his verified X account (@YeleSowore). The prosecution said the post was false and could disturb law and order.
According to the charge, Omoyele Sowore posted:
“This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The prosecution said the post amounted to cyberstalking, contrary to Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
When the charge was read, Sowore pleaded not guilty. The prosecution asked to start the trial and call its first witness, but the defense, led by Marshal Abubakar, opposed this.
Abubakar argued that the amended charge was defective because it did not disclose the witness identity or attach witness statements. He said this violated Omoyele Sowore’s right to a fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The prosecution said the objection was speculative, arguing that they were allowed to call the witness without prior disclosure. Justice Umar directed the prosecution to provide the witness statement to the defence and adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for further hearing.
This report was produced by the editorial team at The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World in line with our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism. Information in this article is based on verified sources available at the time of publication. The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World may update the story as new facts emerge or additional context becomes available.
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