An Abuja Federal High Court on Monday removed Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) from the cyberstalking case filed by the Federal Government against activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore
The move came after the prosecution amended the charge, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant in the matter.
Sowore had initially been arraigned on December 2, 2025, alongside Meta and X Corporation, over a cybercrime charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025). The government alleged that Sowore, via his verified social media accounts, published false statements against President Bola Tinubu, labelling him a “criminal.”
At Monday’s resumed hearing before Justice Umar, lead prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that an amended charge filed on December 5, 2025, was ready to be read. With no objections from the defence, the prosecution withdrew the earlier charge and formally requested that Meta and X Corporation be struck out.
Justice Umar granted the application, removing both companies from the case.
The amended charge now solely targets Sowore, alleging that on or around August 25, 2025, he knowingly or intentionally posted a message via his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, which the prosecution claims was false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
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 alleges that the post constitutes cyberstalking, contrary to 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 amended charge was read.
The prosecution then sought to proceed to trial and present its first witness, a move opposed by defence counsel Marshal Abubakar. He argued that the prosecution was not ready, claiming the amended charge was defective for failing to disclose the identity of the witness or provide witness statements. Citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, Abubakar contended that this omission violated Sowore’s right to a fair hearing, leaving the defence unable to prepare adequately.
“The witness sought to be called is unknown to the defence and, indeed, unknown to the court,” Abubakar said.
Prosecution counsel Kehinde dismissed the objection, arguing that Section 36(6) of the Constitution does not require disclosure of a witness’s identity before testimony. He added that the defence could request an adjournment to cross-examine the witness, noting that only one witness would be called, who was already present in court.
After hearing both sides, Justice Umar directed the prosecution to provide the defence with the witness statement and adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for definite hearing.
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 from the cyberstalking case filed by the Federal Government against activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.){kind=link}
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