FG Amends Cybercrime Charges Against Omoyele Sowore, Reduces Counts from Five to Two

The Federal Government (FG) has amended the cybercrime charges filed against activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over a social media post in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

In the revised charge, filed under FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and dated December 4, 2025, the FG removed X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook) as defendants, who were initially cited as second and third respondents in the case. The amended filing also reduced the number of counts from five to two.

Sowore, arraigned on December 2, 2025, is expected to enter a fresh plea before Justice Mohammed Umar. Previously, he pleaded not guilty and was released on bail on self-recognisance. The charge alleges that Sowore’s post, made on August 25, 2025, intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, tarnish President Tinubu’s reputation, and constituted cyberstalking under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

The contentious post followed President Tinubu’s statement in Brazil claiming his administration had eradicated corruption in Nigeria. In response, the Department of State Services (DSS) demanded that Sowore delete the post and requested the social media platforms block his account, which both refused.

Justice Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognisance, noting that he had surrendered his international passport. The court barred him from making statements that could jeopardize national peace and warned that any violation could result in revocation of bail.

The amended charge specifies that Sowore knowingly or intentionally posted the statement on both his X and Facebook accounts with the alleged intent to threaten life, incite disorder, or cause a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.