The Federal Government has formally arraigned pro-democracy activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, alongside global tech giants Meta Platforms Inc. (owners of Facebook) and X (formerly Twitter), over social media posts allegedly targeted at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The arraignment, which took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice. The charges center on allegations of cybercrime, criminal defamation, and incitement through online platforms.
Allegations Against Sowore and the Platforms
According to court filings, Sowore is accused of publishing a series of posts between August and September 2025, which the prosecution claims contained “false and malicious” content aimed at inciting public unrest and damaging the reputation of President Tinubu.
One of the key exhibits cited is a social media post dated August 25, 2025, in which Sowore allegedly referred to the president as a “certified criminal” and criticized his statements made during an official visit to Brazil.
The Federal Government contends that the posts were calculated to provoke public disturbance and undermine national security. The charges were filed under:
* Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (Amendment), 2024
* Section 59 and Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act
The two tech platforms — Meta (Facebook) and X — were joined in the suit on the grounds that they failed to comply with demands from the DSS to remove the offending content.
DSS Ultimatum and Legal Escalation
It was revealed that the DSS had previously issued a one-week ultimatum to Sowore to delete the posts. However, the activist reportedly declined, maintaining that his statements were within the bounds of lawful expression and public interest journalism.
Government prosecutors argue that the non-compliance, both by Sowore and the social media platforms, constitutes complicity in the spread of harmful and inciting content online.
The DSS, in its submission, claimed that such actions could fuel unrest, especially given Nigeria’s sensitive political climate.
Sowore Responds: “An Attempt to Silence Dissent”
Reacting to the charges, Sowore described the move as a politically motivated attempt to suppress free speech and stifle opposition voices.
“This is a clear abuse of judicial and executive power,” he said in a statement. “I will continue to speak truth to power, regardless of intimidation or arrest.”
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Sowore, who previously contested in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, has a long-standing history of activism and has often clashed with state authorities over his outspoken views.
Tech Platforms Silent as Legal Pressure Mounts
As of press time, neither Meta nor X has issued a public response regarding the charges or their inclusion in the suit.
Legal experts say the move to arraign international platforms represents a bold — and controversial — strategy by the Nigerian government in asserting jurisdiction over global digital spaces.
If successful, it could set a precedent for holding tech companies accountable for content hosted on their platforms — even in jurisdictions where content moderation policies are globally standardized.
