The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 22, 2026, to commence the trial of human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore on amended charges alleging cybercrime offences related to comments he made about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court made the ruling on Monday during proceedings in the matter, which was brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Department of State Services (DSS).
The case stems from an amended charge filed in December 2025 before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. Under the revised charge sheet, Sowore is now the sole defendant, with the earlier co-defendants Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp. (formerly Twitter) removed from the proceedings.
The amended charge contains two counts under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The prosecution alleges that Sowore knowingly and intentionally transmitted messages he knew to be false through his official social media handles, including a statement referring to President Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts on X and Facebook that were published in August 2025.
At the hearing, counsel for the government, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, informed the court that the matter was ready to proceed to trial following the amendment of charges and removal of the foreign corporate defendants.
Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, did not oppose the reading of the amended charge and confirmed that his client had been served with the documents.
The prosecution alleges that Sowore’s posts were false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order, in contravention of provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
During the proceedings, the court ordered that the necessary documentation, including witness lists and other evidentiary materials, be furnished to the defence in compliance with legal requirements ahead of trial. Justice Umar scheduled the trial to begin on January 22, 2026.
Sowore, who ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, has previously appeared before the Federal High Court in related proceedings. In December 2025, he was granted bail on self-recognition after pleading not guilty to the original cybercrime charge brought against him and the two corporate defendants.
The scheduling of the trial date follows a series of adjournments and legal challenges, including arguments over service of charges and procedural compliance under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The outcome of the January 22 proceedings will mark a significant development in the case, which has drawn attention to the application of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws in criminal prosecutions involving public commentary on political leaders.
