An Abuja Federal High Court on Monday removed Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation from the cybercrime charges filed by the Federal Government against activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The decision followed the prosecution’s move to amend the charge, leaving Sowore as the only defendant in the case.
The matter, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was initially instituted against Sowore alongside the two social media companies.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Umar, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that an amended charge filed on December 5, 2025, was ready to be read and raised no objection from the defence.
He subsequently withdrew the earlier charge and applied that the names of Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation be struck out.
Justice Umar granted the application and formally removed both companies from the proceedings.
According to the amended charge, Sowore allegedly published a post on or about August 25, 2025, via his verified X account, @YeleSowore, which the prosecution claimed was false and capable of inciting a breakdown of law and order.
The post allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in relation to comments he made during a visit to Brazil.
The Federal Government is prosecuting the case under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, alleging cyberstalking.
When the amended charge was read in court, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution applied to commence trial and sought to call its first witness. However, defence counsel, Marshal Abubakar, objected, arguing that the prosecution was not prepared for trial because the amended charge did not disclose the identity of the witness or attach witness statements.
Abubakar contended that the omission violated Sowore’s constitutional right to fair hearing, as guaranteed under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, insisting that the defence could not adequately prepare its case without prior knowledge of the witnesses and evidence.
In response, Kehinde described the objection as premature, maintaining that the Constitution does not compel the prosecution to disclose the identity of a witness before testimony.
He added that the defence could seek an adjournment if necessary for effective cross-examination.
After hearing both arguments, Justice Umar directed the prosecution to make the witness statement available to the defence and adjourned the case to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for hearing.
