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The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed five charges against journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore, and social media companies X Inc. and Meta Inc., over alleged false posts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The charges have been submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja under Charge Number NOFC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. Read Our Last Post: Woman Welcomes Sextuplets After 12 Years of Childlessness
According to the documents, the DSS alleges that on or about 25 August 2025, Sowore posted a message on his verified X handle (@YeleSowore) accusing President Tinubu of saying in Brazil that “there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria.” The DSS claims the post was false and intended to cause a breakdown of law and order among Nigerians who hold different views about the President. This is the basis for Count One, which the DSS says is in violation of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two mirrors the first, but refers to a Facebook post made by Sowore on 26 August 2025 that apparently said the same thing. The DSS accuses him of the same offence under the same section of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count Three alleges that Sowore published defamatory material against President Tinubu via his X account, for the earlier post, contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
Count Four likewise refers to the Facebook post, asserting it was defamatory and harmed the President’s reputation under the same Criminal Code provision.
The fifth charge, not fully detailed in the available information, is also part of the suit, bringing the total to five charges against Sowore, X Inc., and Meta Inc.
As of now, court hearings are expected to begin soon. Sowore and the companies may respond in defence against the charges.
People familiar with the matter say this case raises important questions about freedom of speech, the limits of social media criticism, and government regulation under Nigeria’s current cybercrime and defamation laws.
Authorities have neither confirmed nor denied the particulars beyond what is in the charge sheet. News outlets and civil rights groups are watching closely.
