Former presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services over alleged cybercrime offences.
Sowore was arraigned on a five-count cybercrime charge of defamation, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, preferred against him by the DSS and two others.
The co-defendants are Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter).
In the charge, the DSS alleged that Sowore, through posts on his verified social media accounts, published false and defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, referring to him as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook pages.
The charge was filed days after the DSS requested the removal of the alleged defamatory posts from Sowore’s social media handles.
According to the prosecution, Sowore’s actions contravened the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Although the matter had earlier been adjourned twice for arraignment, Sowore appeared in court on Tuesday. In November, DSS counsel Akinolu Kehinde (SAN) had asked the court to issue a bench warrant against Sowore over his absence despite knowing the matter was scheduled for that day, but Justice Mohammed Umar declined and adjourned for arraignment.
When proceedings commenced on Tuesday, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competence of the charge, noting that a preliminary objection had already been served on the prosecution.
Lawyers representing X Corporation and Meta Platforms did not oppose the matter proceeding.
Abubakar, however, argued that the charge was incompetent and that his client could not take a plea.
Kehinde objected, insisting the defence’s application was not ripe for hearing. He accused the defence of deliberately delaying proceedings. Citing Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, he argued that the court must first take the defendant’s plea before hearing any other application.
In a brief ruling, Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution and ordered the arraignment to proceed.
After the charge was read to Sowore, he pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following his plea, Kehinde sought a trial date, but Abubakar informed the court that a bail application had been filed.
Moving the bail application dated August 18, Abubakar urged the court to admit his client to bail on self-recognition or the most liberal terms, describing Sowore as a responsible citizen willing to stand trial.
He informed the court that Sowore’s international passport was already deposited with the deputy chief registrar.
“My Lord, the defendant is a law-abiding citizen. He is a two-time presidential candidate. Just three days ago, the applicant won an election as chairman of a major political party in Nigeria, AAC,” Abubakar said.
He added that Sowore is ready to prove his innocence to the court.
The DSS lawyer opposed the bail application, relying on a 40-paragraph counter-affidavit.
While acknowledging that bail was at the discretion of the court, he urged the court to refuse the application, arguing that Sowore had previously breached a court order and might commit a similar offence if released.
He urged the court to exercise caution and impose stringent conditions if inclined to grant bail.
Lawyers for X and Meta did not oppose the bail application.
In his ruling, Justice Umar admitted Sowore to bail on self-recognition, considering his previous presidential candidature and the fact that his passport remained with the court.
He, however, barred Sowore from making statements capable of threatening national unity and peace.
The judge warned that the bail would be revoked if Sowore made comments deemed detrimental to national peace and security.
Justice Umar then adjourned the matter to January 19, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.