Former presidential candidate and publisher Omoyele Sowore was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services over alleged cybercrime offences, bordering on his social media post in which he described President Bola Tinubu “a criminal”.
Sowore faces five counts of criminal defamation. Joined as co-defendants in the case are Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter).
The DSS alleged that Sowore, via posts on his verified social media accounts, published false and defamatory statements against President Tinubu, referring to him as “a criminal” on X and Facebook.
The charge invokes the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Earlier attempts to arraign Sowore were adjourned twice.
In November, DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), requested a bench warrant due to Sowore’s absence, but Justice Mohammed Umar declined.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competence of the charge, citing a preliminary objection already served on the prosecution.
Lawyers representing Meta and X did not oppose the matter proceeding.
Abubakar argued that his client could not take a plea, while Kehinde insisted the defence’s application was premature and accused it of deliberately delaying proceedings.
Citing Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to take Sowore’s plea first.
Justice Umar agreed, allowing the arraignment to proceed. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following the plea, Abubakar moved a bail application, urging the court to admit Sowore on self-recognition or liberal terms, describing him as a responsible citizen ready to stand trial.
“My Lord, the defendant is a law-abiding citizen. He is a two-time presidential candidate. Just three days ago, the applicant won an election as chairman of a major political party in Nigeria, AAC,” Abubakar said, noting that Sowore’s passport had already been deposited with the court.
The DSS opposed bail, citing a 40-paragraph counter-affidavit and arguing that Sowore had previously breached a court order and might commit a similar offence if released.
Lawyers for X and Meta did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Umar admitted Sowore to bail on self-recognition, while barring him from making statements capable of threatening national unity and peace.
He warned that the bail would be revoked if Sowore made comments deemed detrimental to national security.
The matter was adjourned to January 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.
He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.
Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.
Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.
She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.
Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.
Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.
“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.
See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.
“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.
But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.
Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.
“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.
The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.
“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.
Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.
He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.
The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.
Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.
According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.
He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.
He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”