A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, who was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges bordering on alleged cybercrime.
Sowore appeared before Justice Mohammed Umar on Tuesday to answer a five-count charge of cyber defamation filed against him by the DSS. Interestingly, two global tech companies Meta (Facebook) and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) were listed as co-defendants in the case.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, the DSS accused Sowore of using posts on his verified social media accounts to publish false and defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, including calling him “a criminal.”
The agency stated that these actions violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The charges were filed shortly after the DSS requested that Sowore remove the allegedly defamatory posts from his social media pages.
Although the case had been adjourned twice due to failed arraignment attempts, Sowore was present in court on Tuesday.
His lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, immediately challenged the competence of the charges and reminded the court that a preliminary objection had already been filed. Lawyers for Meta and X, however, did not oppose the matter moving forward.
But DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), argued that the defence was attempting to stall the trial. He insisted that, under Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the defendant must first take a plea before any other application could be entertained.
Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution and ordered the arraignment to proceed. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
After the plea, the defence pushed forward a bail application earlier filed on August 18.
Abubakar described Sowore as a responsible Nigerian who had contested for president twice and was recently elected national chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC). He asked the court to grant bail on self-recognition, noting that Sowore had already submitted his international passport to the court registry.
The DSS opposed the bail request, insisting that Sowore had previously violated court orders and might reoffend if granted freedom. The agency, however, acknowledged that the decision ultimately rested with the judge.
Lawyers for Meta and X raised no objections to his bail.
Justice Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition, citing his political status and the fact that his passport remains in the court’s custody. However, he placed a stern condition: Sowore must desist from making public statements capable of threatening national unity or peace.
The judge warned that the bail would be revoked immediately if the activist violates this condition.
The case has been adjourned to January 19, 2026, for the start of the trial.
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