Dare Babalola
Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, pleaded not guilty to amended cyberbullying charges against President Bola Tinubu at Abuja’s Federal High Court.
At Monday’s hearing, government counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) told the court the prosecution had filed a two-count amended charge against Sowore on December 5, 2025, removing X and Facebook as defendants, leaving him the sole accused.
Kehinde told the court the prosecution was ready to proceed with trial, with a witness present. Defence counsel Abubakar Marshal objected, saying the prosecution failed to attach witness statements and information to the amended charge.
Marshal cited Section 36(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing Sowore’s right to know the case details, including witness statements and names, was not met.
Kehinde pushed for trial, saying further adjournment wouldn’t serve justice, noting past delays were caused by the defence. He argued criminal cases only require witness and exhibit lists, unlike civil ones.
Justice Mohammed Umar ruled the prosecution must provide documents to the defence for fair hearing, adjourning the case to January 22 for trial.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that Sowore knowingly disseminated false messages on his social media platforms by referring to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
One of the posts cited by the prosecution reads, “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 contends that the statement was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and poses a threat to public safety.
The charges attract a penalty of a minimum fine of ₦15 million or imprisonment for a term of five years upon conviction.
