The arraignment of activist Omoyele Sowore on cybercrime charges has been shifted to October 27.
A Federal High Court in Abuja granted him time to review allegations tied to online posts.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, along with two co-defendants, on cybercrime-related charges. The case, earlier slated for September 30, will now be heard on October 27.
Sowore and the others are facing a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges allege that Sowore made social media posts considered defamatory against President Bola Tinubu, with the intent of causing unrest. The other defendants named in the case are X and Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook.
According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, Sowore allegedly used his X handle, @YeleSowore, and his Facebook page in late August 2025 to publish statements the government described as false and damaging to the president’s reputation. The prosecution claims the posts breached provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2024 as well as sections of the Criminal Code.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the case stalled after Sowore’s lead lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, pointed out that his client had not been properly served with the charge. He argued that since the second defendant had also not been served, the arraignment could not lawfully proceed. The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, countered that Sowore had already been served.
Justice Mohammed Garba, after reviewing the case file, confirmed that service had not been effected. He directed that Sowore be served in open court, which was carried out immediately. Sowore then invoked his right to three days to review the charges and prepare his defense. Despite opposition from the prosecution, the court granted his request and rescheduled the matter for October 27.
While Sowore received legal representation, the second defendant, X, was unrepresented in court. Meta Platforms, however, was represented by senior advocate Professor Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).
