An Abuja Federal High Court has removed Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) from the cyberstalking charge filed by the Federal Government against former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore.
The decision followed the prosecution’s move to amend the original charge, making Sowore the sole defendant.
Sowore was arraigned on December 2, 2025, on charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 alongside Meta and X Corp. The prosecution alleged he published false claims against President Bola Tinubu on his verified social media platforms, calling him a “criminal.”
At Monday’s proceedings before Justice Umar, lead prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, notified the court of the amended charge filed on December 5, 2025. With no objection from the defence, the earlier charge was withdrawn and a request was made to strike out Meta and X from the case, which the judge approved.
The amended suit now claims Sowore knowingly sent a false message via X on August 25, 2025, capable of inciting public disorder. The post in question read: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The prosecution said this act constitutes cyberstalking under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Sowore pleaded not guilty when the charge was read.
Prosecutors attempted to open trial immediately and call their first witness, but defence counsel Marshal Abubakar objected, insisting the amended charge was defective as it failed to identify any witness or include statements. He argued this violates Sowore’s right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution.
“The witness sought to be called is unknown to the defence and, indeed, unknown to the court,” Abubakar submitted.
Kehinde dismissed the objection, stating the Constitution does not require disclosure of witness identity beforehand, and argued the defence could request an adjournment if needed. He disclosed only one witness would testify.
After listening to both sides, Justice Umar ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with the witness statement and adjourned the case to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for definite hearing.
