A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, following his arraignment on charges of alleged cybercrime. The case, brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), centres on remarks he made about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on social media platforms.
Court Proceedings and Bail Ruling
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court presided over the hearing on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Sowore, who is the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and was the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in 2019, pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge after it was read to him.
His legal counsel, Marshall Abubakar, initially challenged the court's jurisdiction to hear the suit. However, the prosecution objected, stating they had only just been served the court processes and needed time to prepare a response. Justice Umar agreed, noting the prosecution was served that morning and required adequate time to file a counter-affidavit.
Prosecution Opposition and Judicial Caution
When Sowore's counsel applied for bail on self-recognition, the prosecution opposed the application. They argued that the defendant posed a flight risk. Despite this objection, Justice Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition.
The judge also issued a caution, directing Sowore to refrain from making any utterances that could incite the public against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Details of the Charges and Other Defendants
The charges against Sowore are based on the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act. He is specifically accused of contravening these laws by allegedly making derogatory remarks about President Tinubu, including calling him a criminal, on his social media handles.
The case, with the charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, also lists two other defendants: X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp. The inclusion of these social media giants adds a significant dimension to the proceedings, highlighting the ongoing legal scrutiny of digital platforms in Nigeria.
This case continues the pattern of legal challenges faced by the activist, drawing significant public and media attention to the intersection of free speech, political commentary, and cyber legislation in the country.
