Court Drops Meta, X as DSS Re-Arraigns Sowore Over ‘Cyberstalking’ Remarks on Tinubu

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. as defendants in the amended cyberstalking charges filed by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) against activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

Justice Mohammed Umar made the ruling on Monday while re-arraigning Sowore on a revised two-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking and defamation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The decision followed an application by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who formally withdrew the names of the two foreign technology companies from the charge.

In a brief ruling, the judge ordered the removal of X Corp., owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook, as co-defendants in the case.

Amended Charges Over Social Media Posts

The amended charge, filed on December 5, 2025, accuses Sowore of posting statements on his verified X and Facebook accounts in August 2025, in which he referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal” in relation to comments allegedly made by the president during a trip to Brazil.

The DSS alleges that the posts were knowingly false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order, thereby constituting cyberstalking under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Sowore, a two-time presidential candidate, pleaded not guilty to both counts when the charges were read to him.

Trial Delayed Over Witness Disclosure

Proceedings were halted shortly after arraignment following objections from Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, who argued that the prosecution failed to attach the names and details of witnesses to the proof of evidence.

Marshall said the omission violated Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to fair hearing.

Efforts by the prosecution to resolve the issue in court were unsuccessful, prompting Justice Umar to adjourn the case to January 22.

The judge ordered the federal government’s counsel to comply fully with legal requirements by providing a list of witnesses, their particulars, and all relevant documents needed by the defence to prepare its case.

Potential Penalties

If convicted, Sowore faces a possible fine of not less than ₦15 million or a prison term of up to five years, or both.

The case has continued to attract national attention amid ongoing debates over free speech, cybercrime laws, and the criminalisation of online criticism in Nigeria.