Just In: FG drops Meta, X from cyberbullying case against Sowore

The Federal Government has removed Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook) and Elon Musk’s X Inc. (formerly Twitter) from the amended cyberbullying charges filed against politician and activist, Omoyele Sowore.

The development was announced on Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by the prosecution counsel, A.T. Kehinde, SAN.

Kehinde informed the court that although the matter was initially fixed for trial, the prosecution had filed an amended charge dated December 5, 2025, from which Meta and X had been dropped. He subsequently withdrew the earlier charge that listed the two technology companies as co-defendants.

Counsel to Sowore, Abubakar Marshal, confirmed that he had been served with the amended charge and raised no objection to it being read in open court.

Lawyers representing Meta and X, Paul Ihuoma and Christabel D., also confirmed that their clients’ names had been removed from the case.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Umar ordered that “the names of Meta and X are hereby struck out from the case,” and directed that the amended charge be read to Sowore.

However, Sowore queried the reference to “officialABAT” in the amended charge, noting that in the earlier charge—now withdrawn—he was explicitly accused of cyberbullying the President of Nigeria. After consulting with his counsel, Sowore consented to the charge being read and later pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

According to the prosecution, Sowore’s statement on social media was false and capable of inciting a breakdown of law and order. One of the counts alleges that Sowore, via his verified X handle @YeleSowore, published a post describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal” over comments made during a visit to Brazil.

The Federal Government argued that the post contravened Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In its list of exhibits, the prosecution tendered printouts of Sowore’s posts on X and Facebook, letters allegedly written by the complainant to both platforms, comments and reactions on X, as well as a video recording of President Tinubu’s remarks in Brazil.

The prosecution also listed an unnamed “Investigating Officer” as a witness, adding that it reserved the right to call additional witnesses as necessary.

When Kehinde requested that the trial commence immediately, Sowore’s counsel objected, arguing that the prosecution had failed to comply with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by not front-loading Sowore’s statement, the names of witnesses, and summaries of their testimonies.

While the prosecution argued that such requirements were inapplicable or limited in cases involving intelligence officers, Justice Umar disagreed, insisting that summaries of witnesses’ testimonies must accompany the charge.

“Even if it is an evil spirit that is listed as a witness, the case summary must be attached,” the judge ruled.

The court ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with all necessary materials and adjourned the matter to January 22 for further hearing.

The case had earlier drawn attention after the Federal Government initially arraigned Sowore alongside Meta and X, alleging that the social media platforms enabled the publication of the alleged cyberbullying content. Meta had challenged its inclusion, arguing that the charge had no nexus to its operations and questioning the legality of serving criminal charges on a foreign company without a court order.

The case adds to growing concerns over the increasing use of the Cybercrimes Act in Nigeria. Civil society organisations have repeatedly warned that the law is being weaponised to suppress free expression, while groups such as SERAP have urged the Federal Government to halt what they describe as harassment of journalists, activists, and critics under the guise of cybercrime enforcement.