The court’s decision followed an application by DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who withdrew the two foreign technology companies from the charge during Sowore’s re‑arraignment on Monday.
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. as defendants in the amended cyberstalking case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who is accused of calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “a criminal.”
The court’s decision followed an application by DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who withdrew the two foreign technology companies from the charge during Sowore’s re‑arraignment on Monday.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar formally removed X Corp., owners of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook, from the proceedings.
Sowore was re‑arraigned on a two‑count amended charge alleging defamation of President Tinubu.
The amended charge, filed on December 5, 2025, accuses him of cyberstalking under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and signed by Kehinde on behalf of the Federal Government, alleges that Sowore knowingly posted messages on his verified X and Facebook accounts describing President Tinubu as a “criminal”, a statement the prosecution claims was false and capable of inciting public disorder.
According to Count One, Sowore allegedly posted the message on his X handle, @YeleSowore, on or about August 25, 2025, with intent to cause public disorder, in violation of Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the amended Cybercrimes Act.
Count Two relates to a similar post allegedly made on his official Facebook page on the same date, which the prosecution also claims constituted cyberstalking under the same provisions of the law.
Sowore pleaded not guilty to both counts. Justice Umar adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for definite hearing.
The prosecution maintains that both posts were knowingly false and made with the intent to cause public disorder or endanger lives.
The government contends that Sowore’s statements constituted criminal conduct under the Act and are punishable under the same legal provisions.
The amended charge was dated December 4, 2025, and signed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the legal firm Kehinde & Partners LP.
The prosecution team listed includes Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN (UK); Olukayode Enitan, SAN; Adeyemi Pitan, SAN; Kenneth E. Cyril Ita, Esq. and I.C. Anigbogu, Esq.
Meanwhile, in the earlier criminal charges brought by the Federal Government through the DSS against Sowore, Meta and X were also named as co-defendants for allegedly providing the platforms used to disseminate the post.
The DSS had filed a five-count charge at the registry of the Federal High Court, accusing Sowore of defaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by calling him a “criminal.”
The charges were filed on September 16, 2025, by M.B. Abubakar, Esq., Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ), together with other counsel listed as M.E. Ernest, Esq., U.B. Bulla, Esq., C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor, Esq.