The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to admit a document presented by activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, which claimed that President Bola Tinubu once described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a “drunkard.”
Justice Mohammed Umar rejected the exhibit after the prosecution’s first witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, distanced himself from the document and denied knowledge of its contents.
The witness, Mr Cyril Nosike, told the court during cross-examination by Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, that he was unaware of any instance where Tinubu made the alleged remarks about Jonathan.
Based on this, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), objected to the document’s admissibility, arguing that it did not meet the requirements of the Evidence Act because the witness was not its author.
The court upheld the objection and declined to accept the document as evidence. A similar fate befell another document presented by the defence, which alleged that Tinubu had described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “expired meat.”
During proceedings, the DSS operative avoided offering personal opinions on political matters. When asked whether corruption had ended in Nigeria, he said he could not respond, stressing that he was not in court to give opinions.
He also said he was not in a position to confirm whether corruption still existed in the country.
The witness further stated that he was unaware that the DSS dismissed 115 officers in December 2025 for alleged corruption, though he recalled an internal investigation leading to dismissals.
He also denied knowledge of reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had prosecuted former governors or that officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited were arrested over alleged fraud.
He maintained that his responsibilities focused strictly on national security matters within his mandate and that he was not part of processes related to disciplinary actions within the DSS.
Nosike also said he was not familiar with Nigeria’s position in global corruption rankings or Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
When questioned about public allegations linking the President to various controversies, including claims circulating on social media, he said he had no knowledge of them.
Justice Umar adjourned the case until March 5 to allow the defence conclude its cross-examination.
Sowore is being prosecuted over a social media post in which he allegedly described President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
He faces a two-count amended charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The prosecution said the post, published on August 25, 2025, followed a statement by the President during an official visit to Brazil in which he claimed his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.
Authorities argue that Sowore’s publication was capable of inciting public disorder and damaging the President’s reputation.
Sowore, who was first arraigned in December 2025 and re-arraigned in January, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
