The Federal Government has filed a five-count charge against Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters, over a social media post deemed false and inciting, allegedly targeting President Bola Tinubu.
Court documents reveal that the post, shared via Sowore’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account on August 25, accused President Tinubu of making misleading claims during a public appearance in Brazil.
The controversial post read:
“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 charge, filed under Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2024, alleges that the post was intended to provoke public disorder and erode confidence in the presidency.
It was reportedly made within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
In a rare legal move, global social media platforms X Corporation and Meta Platforms Inc. (owners of Facebook) have also been listed as co-defendants alongside Sowore in the case.
According to government prosecutors, the defendants’ actions were “calculated to cause a breakdown of law and order” and incite public unrest.
Sources within the Federal Ministry of Justice, quoted by Channels TV, indicate that Sowore’s arraignment will take place in Abuja in the coming days.
A formal court date is expected to be announced soon.
As of the time of reporting Sowore and his legal team have not issued any public response to the charges neither X Corporation nor Meta has commented on their involvement in the legal proceedings.
