The Federal Government (FG) on Monday re-arraigned human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended two-count charge over comments in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”.
FG, in the amended charge dated and filed on December 5, 2025, removed Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. as co-defendants in the case, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, FG’s Counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, formally moved the amended change.
His counsel, Marshal Abubakar, acknowledged service of the amendeded charge and did not object to it being read. Counsel to the other former defendants, Meta and X, also did not object.
Sowore was re-arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the two counts.
Justice Umar Mohammed ordered that Sowore should continue on the bail earlier granted to him on self-recognition.
Following his plea, Kehinde informed the court that the prosecution had one witness in court and was ready to proceed with trial.
However, Sowore’s counsel objected, arguing that the amended charge was defective because no witness deposition or list of witnesses was attached, contrary to Section 36(6) of the Constitution.
He contended that the law requires witness statements and a list of witnesses to be front-loaded, noting that no name had been provided.
Responding, Kehinde, argued that the issue was within the discretion of the complainant and not statutory. He maintained that the prosecution had listed its witnesses and exhibits and was ready to proceed, stressing that an adjournment would not serve the interest of justice.
Justice Mohammed disagreed, stating that the court had not seen sufficient information about the witnesses and that Section 36(6) requires the prosecution to provide all available information necessary for the defence.
Kehinde argued that the provision was not automatic and must be requested, adding that the case was peculiar because the witnesses were intelligence officers whose identities could not be fully disclosed.https://d-12458923352979587173.ampproject.net/2512221826001/nameframe.html
“I’m not saying, even if it is an evil spirit, let us know who is saying this,” Justice Mohammed said, adding that the court needed clarity on who was making the allegations.
He subsequently adjourned the case to January 22, 2026, for the prosecution to furnish the defence with the necessary materials and for the commencement of the trial.
The amended charges in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, relate to posts made by Sowore on August 25, 2025, on his X and Facebook accounts, in which he accused President Tinubu of lying about ending corruption in Nigeria and referred to him as a “criminal”.
The Federal Government alleges that the posts were knowingly false and intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, amounting to cyberstalking under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024
