Activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has pleaded not guilty to amended cyberbullying charges brought against him over social media posts describing President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.
At the resumed hearing on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, counsel to the Federal Government, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that a two-count amended charge was filed on December 5, 2025. He said Sowore is now the sole defendant after X and Facebook were removed from the list of accused parties.
Kehinde told the court that the prosecution was ready to commence trial and had a witness in attendance. Defence counsel, Abubakar Marshal, objected, arguing that the amended charge was defective because it was not accompanied by witness statements and other supporting documents.
Marshal relied on Section 36(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right of an accused person to be informed in detail of the nature of the offence and to have access to witness statements in order to prepare a proper defence.
Responding, Kehinde argued that further adjournment would not serve the interest of justice, noting that previous delays were caused by the defence. He maintained that in criminal proceedings, the prosecution is only required to provide a list of witnesses and exhibits.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar directed the prosecution to supply all relevant documents to the defence to ensure fair hearing and adjourned the matter to January 22 for the commencement of trial.
According to the amended charge, the prosecution alleges that Sowore knowingly disseminated false messages on his social media platforms by referring to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
One of the posts cited reads: “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 statement was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and poses a threat to public safety.
The offences attract a minimum fine of ₦15 million or a prison term of up to five years upon conviction.
