Court schedules Jan. 22 for Sowore’s trial over alleged false claim against Tinubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday set January 22 for the trial of Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, over claims he made false statements about President Bola Tinubu. Justice Mohammed Umar announced the date after Sowore was arraigned on a two-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). Sowore pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In the amended charge, filed on December 5 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, Sowore is named as the sole defendant. In the initial charge, X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp were also listed as co-defendants, but their names were removed in the amended charge. According to the DSS, in the first count, Sowore allegedly sent a message via his official X handle, @YeleSowore, on or around August 25, 2025.

The post reportedly read: “This criminal@officlalABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” The prosecution claims that Sowore knew the statement was false and posted it to provoke a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, create threats to life, or otherwise spread harmful information.

He faces charges of cyberstalking under Section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. During the proceedings, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, DSS lawyer, requested that the amended charge be read to Sowore.

Marshal Abubakar, Counsel for Sowore, did not object. After the counts were read, Sowore pleaded not guilty.  Abubakar also asked that his client’s previously granted bail continue, which the court approved. Kehinde told the court that a prosecution witness was present and ready to testify.

Abubakar argued that the defence was not prepared to proceed, noting that the proof of evidence did not include the names or depositions of witnesses. He said this violated Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution and hindered the preparation of an adequate defence.

He cited Supreme Court rulings and Section 379(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to support his position. The prosecution disagreed, with Kehinde saying the ACJA provision cited by the defence was not applicable. He added that the defence could request a pause or adjournment to cross-examine witnesses after they testify.

Kehinde described the objection as a delay tactic and urged the court to proceed. After hearing the arguments, Justice Umar adjourned the case until January 22 for the substantive hearing.

Sowore, who ran for president in 2019 and 2023 under the African Action Congress (AAC), is charged with cyberstalking President Tinubu through his X and Facebook accounts.