Tinubu: Federal Government Drops Cyberbullying Charges Against Meta, X

The Federal Government has removed Meta Platforms Inc., owner of 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 in Abuja by the government’s counsel, A.T. Kehinde, SAN, during the resumed hearing of the case.

Kehinde informed the court that although the matter had been slated for trial, the prosecution had filed an amended charge dated December 5, 2025, and requested that it be read to the defendant. Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, confirmed receipt of the amended charge and raised no objection.

Counsel to Meta and X, Paul Ihuoma, and Christabel D., respectively, also told the court that their clients had been removed from the amended charge. Kehinde subsequently withdrew the earlier charge, confirming that both Meta and X were no longer parties to the case.

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

During the proceedings, Sowore queried the reference to “officialABAT” in the amended charge, noting that in the earlier, now-withdrawn charge, he was accused of cyberbullying the President of Nigeria. After consulting with his lawyer, he allowed the charge to be read.

In the amended charge, the Federal Government alleged that Sowore made false statements capable of provoking a breakdown of law and order. One of the counts centres on a post allegedly made via Sowore’s verified X handle, @YeleSowore, which described President Bola Tinubu as “criminal” and accused him of lying during comments made in Brazil.

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

According to the list of exhibits, the Federal Government intends to rely on printouts of Sowore’s posts on X and Facebook, correspondence addressed to the social media platforms, comments and reactions generated by the posts, and a video recording of President Tinubu’s remarks in Brazil. The prosecution also listed an unnamed investigating officer as a witness, with the possibility of calling additional witnesses.

Sowore pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

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

While Kehinde maintained that the requirements did not strictly apply in the circumstances and cited concerns over intelligence officers as witnesses, Justice Umar disagreed. The judge ruled that witness case summaries must be attached to the charge, regardless of the witnesses’ nature.

He ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with all necessary materials and adjourned the case to January 22 for hearing.

The case stems from allegations that Sowore cyberbullied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on social media. The Federal Government had initially named Sowore, Meta Platforms Inc., and X Inc. as co-defendants, but following objections from Meta’s lawyers over jurisdiction and service, the social media companies have now been formally removed from the charge.