By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 27, 2025, for the arraignment of politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore on charges of allegedly making false statements against President Bola Tinubu.
The case, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, also lists social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) as co-defendants.
According to the charges, Sowore allegedly used his official X and Facebook accounts on August 25 and 26, 2025, to claim that President Tinubu had declared there was no corruption under his administration. The DSS contends that the statements were false, defamatory, and intended to incite public disorder. The counts cite Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and Sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, objected to the charges being read, arguing that his client had not been properly served. He also noted that X was not represented in court. Meta, however, was represented by senior advocate Tayo Oyetibo.
Justice Mohammed Umar directed that Sowore be served in open court and adjourned the matter to October 27 for the commencement of trial. “All parties agreed to the service of the defendant in court,” the judge ruled.
Sowore, who contested the presidency in 2019 and 2023 under the African Action Congress (AAC), is accused of using his social media platforms to spread information deemed damaging to the president’s reputation. The DSS described the prosecution as part of efforts to enforce laws against the online dissemination of false information.
The arraignment later this month will formally open the trial, with the defence expected to challenge service procedures and the involvement of the social media companies named in the suit.
