The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a five-count criminal charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), over alleged cybercrime, defamation, and incitement.
The case also lists X Corp (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook) as defendants, following their refusal to take down Sowore’s posts as demanded by the DSS.
This development comes after Sowore was issued a seven-day ultimatum by the DSS on Monday, September 8, to delete what it described as “false, malicious, and inciting” social media posts targeted at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The ultimatum expired without compliance, prompting legal action.
According to the charges filed by the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the DSS and the Nigerian Government, Sowore allegedly published statements deemed false and defamatory through his verified X and Facebook accounts. The prosecution claims these statements were intended to incite public unrest and damage the reputation of the President.
One of the posts in question, which appeared on both platforms, reads:
“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 charges include violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and Sections 375 and 59 of the Criminal Code Act.
Count One and Two allege that Sowore used his X and Facebook pages to “knowingly” disseminate false information likely to cause a breakdown of law and order, targeting the reputation of President Tinubu. These are said to be contrary to Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count Three and Four accuse Sowore of publishing defamatory content on both platforms, contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
In Count Five, Sowore is charged with publishing false information “with intent to cause public fear and disturbance,” in violation of Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act.
The charges were filed by Muhammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Ministry of Justice, along with legal representatives of the DSS.
The DSS is also reported to have written to Meta Inc. and X Corp, requesting the removal of Sowore’s posts and a suspension of his accounts. Both companies allegedly ignored the requests.
Sowore, a long-time activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has not issued a formal response to the charges. He has previously stated he would not delete the posts, maintaining his stance as a vocal critic of the government.
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