The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, brought activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore before the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faces charges related to alleged cybercrime offences for social media posts deemed defamatory against President Bola Tinubu.
Court Grants Bail with Strict Gag Order
Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, granted Sowore bail on self-recognition. This decision was influenced by the fact that Sowore is a former presidential aspirant and is already under existing bail conditions, with his international passport held by the court. The bail, however, came with a critical restriction: Sowore is barred from making any statements capable of inciting the public or undermining national security. Justice Umar issued a stern warning that any breach of these conditions would result in the immediate revocation of his bail.
The arraignment on Tuesday followed two previous unsuccessful attempts. DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), stated that legal obstacles introduced by Sowore's defence team caused the delays. During the proceedings, Sowore pleaded not guilty to all five counts against him. His lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, submitted a fresh bail application, which the court considered before delivering its ruling.
Social Media Giants Also Named in Charges
The case extends beyond Sowore. The charge sheet, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, also lists two other defendants: X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. The DSS alleges that these platforms aided Sowore in publishing the posts containing the defamatory statements against the president.
The charges are brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. This law criminalises the online publication of false statements that can harm individuals or public institutions. It also grants the government power to hold social media companies accountable for facilitating the spread of such content.
Latest Chapter in Activist's Legal Battles
This arraignment represents the newest development in a series of legal confrontations involving Sowore, who has been arrested and charged multiple times in the past due to his activism and online publications. The case has ignited reactions across social media platforms. Supporters of Sowore have labelled the charges as politically motivated, while others contend that public figures must be cautious and responsible with their online commentary.
The court's decision to impose a specific gag order as a bail condition highlights the sensitive intersection of free speech, national security, and the application of the country's cybercrime laws in the digital age.
