This comes amid an amended cyberstalking case filed by the DSS against Sowore, who is accused of calling President Tinubu “a criminal.”
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reportedly told President Bola Tinubu that human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore cannot be caged the secret police, Department of State Services (DSS).
This comes amid an amended cyberstalking case filed by the DSS against Sowore, who is accused of calling President Tinubu “a criminal.”
A senior government official told SaharaReporters that Egbetokun informed the President that Sowore’s passport is still retained, preventing him from leaving Nigeria.
“IGP told Tinubu that the DSS can't cage Sowore. He told him that his passport is tied down,” a government source said.
Last Monday, SaharaReporters reported that Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja had struck out Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. as defendants in the amended cyberstalking case filed by the DSS against Sowore.
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 charges. The court also directed the DSS to provide him with all prosecution materials, including evidence and a list of witnesses, to ensure he can properly prepare for his ongoing cyberstalking trial.
The order followed a strong objection raised by Sowore’s lead counsel, Abubakar Marshal, who argued that the provision of proof of evidence and particulars of witnesses is sacrosanct, fundamental, and mandatory under the law.
Marshal maintained that denial of these documents grossly violates the defendant’s constitutional right to fair hearing and undermines due process. The lawyer insisted that Sowore cannot be compelled to proceed to trial without being properly served in line with legal requirements.
In a brief but firm ruling, Justice Umar agreed with the defence, stressing that compliance with due process is not optional. The judge noted that the prosecution must obey the law regardless of the nature of the witnesses it intends to call.
“Even if you are calling a spirit as a witness, you must follow the law,” Justice Umar remarked, drawing laughter in the courtroom.
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the adjourned date, there was a mild drama at the Federal High Court, Abuja, when the courtroom burst into laughter during the playback of a video of President Tinubu’s speech made on August 26, 2025, during his state visit to Brazil.
The video was tendered by the DSS as part of its evidence in the alleged cyberstalking case against Sowore.
At the resumed hearing, counsel for the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, called its first witness, Cyril Nosike (PW-1), an operative of the service, who testified before the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.
Nosike told the court that he obtained screenshots of posts allegedly made by Sowore on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle and Facebook page, in which he described President Tinubu as “a criminal.”
Following his testimony, court officials played the video recording of the President’s speech delivered in Brazil.
The courtroom remained silent until President Tinubu, in the video, stated that he had “fought corruption to a standstill” and that “there was no corruption in Nigeria any longer.”
At that point, the atmosphere in the courtroom changed as lawyers, court officials, and journalists burst into laughter, openly disagreeing with the President’s claim. The reaction momentarily halted proceedings for several minutes.
In addition, the prosecution tendered messages allegedly posted by Sowore on his X handle and Meta platforms (formerly Facebook), which were admitted in evidence.
Sowore’s lead counsel, Marshal Abubakar, reserved his objections to the admissibility of the exhibits until the stage of final written addresses. He also requested an adjournment to enable the defence to study the witness’s statement and other documents earlier served on them.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter to January 27 for cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness and continuation of hearing.
Sowore’s Passport Held
Since early 2025, Sowore has had his passport retained by the Federal High Court in Abuja as part of bail conditions in his ongoing legal battles.
In January 2025, Sowore was arraigned on cybercrime and related charges filed by the Nigeria Police and later the DSS.
When the court granted him bail on January 30, 2025, Justice Musa Liman ordered him to deposit his passport with the court registrar, along with other bail conditions such as a surety and affidavit of means.
His passport remained in the custody of the court throughout 2025 and into 2026. The retention of the passport effectively restricted his ability to travel abroad to see his family.
Sowore and his supporters have criticised his passport retention as a deliberate attempt to constrain his freedom beyond standard bail requirements. Supporters and commentators have described the continued non‑release of the document as punitive and debilitating for both his work and family life.