Sowore now faces FG cyberbullying charge alone as Meta and X exit case

Activist Omoyele Sowore is now the sole defendant in a cyberbullying case after the Federal Government removed Meta (Facebook) and X (formerly Twitter) from the charges against him. The charges focus on a post he shared that targeted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The announcement came during Monday’s session at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The activist posted a message on his verified account, @YeleSowore, criticising the President’s official X account, @officialABAT. He challenged the claim that corruption had ended under the current government. The government argues that his post is false and could cause public unrest, which is why they have charged him.

Justice Mohammed Umar, the judge overseeing the case, formally removed the tech companies’ names from the proceedings and instructed that the amended charges be read to Sowore. The activist, represented by his lawyer Abubakar Marshal, listened as the charges were presented and pleaded not guilty.

Moving ahead in court

Sowore has requested the full list of the prosecution’s witnesses and evidence so he can prepare his defence, as required by Nigerian law. The government has provided items such as screenshots of the activist’s social media posts, letters to Meta and X, and a video of President Tinubu’s comments made in Brazil. The trial will continue on January 22.

Removing the platforms means the case now focuses only on Sowore as an individual. Legal experts say this could set an important precedent. It shows that social media users in Nigeria can be held personally responsible for what they post, even if big tech companies are involved.

What Sowore’s case means for social media and users

Civil society groups have long cautioned that the Cybercrimes Act, if widely enforced, could be used to stifle public criticism. Sowore’s case is part of a growing list of prosecutions under this law, underscoring the conflict between freedom of expression and online accountability.

Also read: Sowore sues Meta, X and DSS over rights violation and censorship

The ruling also draws attention to how Nigerian courts are handling global tech platforms in legal matters. With Meta and X no longer on the case, questions remain about their liability and the responsibility of social media companies to moderate content versus leaving individuals accountable.

For Sowore, the focus is now entirely on his defense. The coming hearings will show how the courts balance online speech, government authority, and citizen rights, potentially influencing how activists, journalists, and everyday users engage on platforms like X and Facebook in the future.

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