An Abuja Federal High Court on Monday struck out Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) from the cyberstalking case brought by the Federal Government against activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The development followed the prosecution’s decision to amend the charge, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant in the matter.
Sowore was initially arraigned on December 2, 2025, on a cybercrime charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025) alongside Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation. The prosecution had alleged that Sowore, through posts on his verified social media accounts, published false statements against President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a “criminal.”
At the 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 formally applied to have the names of Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation struck out of the case. Justice Umar granted the application.
The amended charge alleges that Sowore, on or about August 25, 2025, knowingly or intentionally sent a message via his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, which the prosecution claims was false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. According to the charge, Sowore posted: “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 post amounted to 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 in court.
READ ALSO: Sowore Calls for Global Boycott of UN, Says World Body Has ‘Outlived Its Purpose’
During the hearing, the prosecution sought to call its first witness, a move opposed by defence counsel Marshal Abubakar. Abubakar argued that the prosecution was not ready for trial, contending that the amended charge was defective for failing to disclose the identity of any witness or attach witness statements, which he said violated Sowore’s right to a fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Responding, Kehinde said the objection was speculative, arguing that Section 36(6) of the Constitution does not require the prosecution to disclose the identity of witnesses before calling them to testify. He added that the defence could seek an adjournment to cross-examine the witness, noting that only one witness would be called and was already present in court.
Justice Umar subsequently directed the prosecution to provide the defence with the witness statement and adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for definite hearing.