Activist Omoyele Sowore now faces cybercrime allegations from the Department of State Services (DSS), following social media posts calling into question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership of the nation. The allegations were placed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and include the social media X (previously known as Twitter) and Meta as co-defendants.
The case with number FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 comprised five counts. The prosecutors indicated that the offender published a false statement about the president on August 25, because he asserted on his official X handle that the president had declared that there was no corruption in Nigeria under his administration. The DSS claims the statement is false and is capable of misleading the public.
The prosecution also charged the defendant for repeating the same statement on his Facebook page on August 26. The DSS further states that he intentionally published fabricated information capable of instigating civil disturbance among his fellow citizens.
The charges are based on Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. The timeline includes the sections under Section 375 of the Criminal Code on defamation and the provisions against publishing false allegations that are likely to disturb public peace.
The charge sheet was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M. B. Abubakar. However, no date for Sowore’s arraignment has been set.
It will be remembered that the DSS previously cautioned Sowore to delete the two posts, describing the posts as unlawful and a threat to public order. However, he did not agree to the DSS’s compliance.
Opinions and debate among Nigerians have developed following the release of the news. A number of civil society organizations and advocates of free speech have indicated that charges of misinformation create an opportunity to repress legitimate and innocent dissent and criticism of the governing administration. In fact, the advocates of free speech warned that prosecuting charges like this one only risks stifling both legitimate and innocent protests.
However, the DSS continues to maintain that the law ought to be enforced to prevent falsehoods from spreading and protect national stability.
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