The Department of State Services has arraigned politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of cybercrime and defamation of President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate, pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.
According to the DSS, Sowore violated the Cybercrimes Amendment Act and the Criminal Code Act by repeatedly referring to President Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts on X and Facebook.
Tech giants X Inc. and Meta Inc. were also listed as co-defendants in the case.
Presiding Judge Mohammed Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition but warned that the court would not tolerate any statements capable of inciting the public or undermining national security.
“If he makes such statements again, the court will not hesitate to revoke his bail,” Justice Umar ruled.
The arraignment followed two earlier failed attempts, which the DSS attributed to what its counsel, Akinolu Kehinde SAN, described as “legal obstacles” raised by Sowore’s lawyer.
On Tuesday, however, the court allowed the proceedings to go ahead after hearing a fresh bail application argued by defence counsel Marshall Abubakar.
Justice Umar said Sowore’s previous presidential candidacy and the fact that the court still holds his passport made him eligible for self-recognition bail.
The case continues as the prosecution prepares to open its evidence.
