The Federal Government has re-arraigned human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a two-count amended charge of alleged cyberstalking against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following social media posts in which he described the president as a “criminal.”
The re-arraignment took place on January 19 at the Federal High Court, where the prosecution announced an amended charge that removed Facebook and X as co-defendants, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant in the case.
Counsel for the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with trial and had a witness present. However, Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, opposed the move, arguing that the prosecution failed to attach the witness’s statement on oath and identity to the amended charge.
Marshal cited Section 36(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, insisting that the law requires witness names and depositions to be front-loaded to guarantee fair hearing. He also argued that the prosecution violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act by failing to provide the defence with a list of witnesses and summaries of their testimonies.
Responding, Kehinde maintained that further adjournment would undermine fair hearing, noting that previous delays were allegedly at the instance of the defence. He also argued that disclosure rules cited by the defence apply mainly to Magistrates’ Courts, adding that issues concerning intelligence officers as witnesses could be addressed through adjournment or stand-down during cross-examination.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the case to January 22 for trial to commence.
According to the charge sheet, Sowore allegedly used his verified X handle to post:
“This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
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