The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday re-arraigned activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, before an Abuja Federal High Court over an alleged anti-President Bola Tinubu social media post, as the Federal Government formally dropped charges against Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation.
The development followed the prosecution’s decision to amend the charge, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant in the cybercrime case.
Sowore was first arraigned on December 2, 2025, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, alongside Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation, formerly Twitter.
However, at the resumed hearing before Justice Umar on Monday, 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 objection from the defence.
The prosecution subsequently withdrew the earlier charge and formally applied for the names of the second and third defendants—Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation—to be struck out of the case.
Justice Umar granted the application and struck out both companies from the charge.
According to the amended charge, Sowore is accused of knowingly or intentionally sending a message on or about August 25, 2025, via his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, which the prosecution alleges was false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The charge quoted Sowore as posting: “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 alleged 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.
When the amended charge was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution applied to proceed with trial and 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 prosecution witness or attach witness statements.
Relying on Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the defence counsel said the omission violated Sowore’s right to fair hearing, insisting that the defence could not adequately prepare without knowing the witnesses and evidence to be relied upon.
“The witness sought to be called is unknown to the defence and, indeed, unknown to the court,” Abubakar said.
In response, Kehinde dismissed the objection as speculative, arguing that Section 36(6) of the Constitution does not require the prosecution to disclose the identity of a witness before calling him to testify.
He added that the defence was free to apply for an adjournment to enable cross-examination, noting that the prosecution intended to call only one witness, who was already present in court.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar directed the prosecution to provide the defence with the witness statement and adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for definite hearing.
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.”