The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request to issue an arrest warrant against activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, despite his absence at Wednesday’s scheduled arraignment on criminal defamation charges.
Sowore is standing trial alongside Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter) on a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025.
The DSS alleged that Sowore published false and defamatory statements against the agency, some of its senior officials, and President Bola Tinubu on his verified social media accounts, an act it claims violated the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
According to the charge, Sowore allegedly posted: “This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” The DSS said the post was false and intended to incite unrest among Nigerians with opposing political views.
During Wednesday’s hearing, DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) urged the court to issue a bench warrant for Sowore’s arrest, citing his absence and lack of legal representation as “an affront to the sanctity of the court.”
However, Justice Mohammed Umar refused the request, noting that X Corporation had yet to be formally served with the charge sheet, though it had received a hearing notice.
The judge ordered that all parties be duly served before the next sitting and adjourned the case to December 2, 2025, for arraignment. Counsel for Meta, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and X Corporation’s lawyer, Christabel Ndiokwelo, both confirmed receiving notices but not the formal charges.
Justice Umar emphasized proper service as a prerequisite for fair hearing before further proceedings continue.
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