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Court Fixes Fresh Date for Sowore’s Arraignment on Cybercrime Charges.
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DSS accuses Sowore of cybercrime for offensive post against Tinubu.
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Rights groups warn case threatens free speech and digital freedoms in Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 27, 2025, for the arraignment of human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the case on Tuesday after proceedings were stalled due to the non-service of the charge sheet on Sowore. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from the Ministry of Justice told the court that the government was ready to arraign Sowore alongside X Corporation and Meta (Facebook), who were listed as co-respondents.
However, Sowore’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, objected, arguing that his client had not been served with the charges. Counsel representing Meta supported the objection, confirming that his team was only served in court. X Corporation had no representation at the session.
According to the prosecution, Sowore, a former presidential candidate, allegedly used his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to publish an “offensive post” on August 25, 2025. The post was said to contravene Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2024. The charges were filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) through the DPP.
The case stems from Sowore’s face-off with the DSS after the agency issued a one-week ultimatum on September 8 demanding that he delete “false and inciting” posts about President Bola Tinubu. Sowore declined, prompting legal action when the deadline expired on September 15.
In a counter move, Sowore filed two fundamental rights suits against the DSS, Meta, and X Corporation, challenging what he described as unconstitutional censorship. His lawyer, Tope Temokun, said the matter strikes at the heart of free speech in Nigeria.
Rights groups argue the outcome could redefine digital freedoms in the country as attention now shifts to October 27.
