Activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore appeared before the Federal High Court Abuja Wednesday under heavy security as his trial for cyberstalking President Bola Tinubu resumed.
The Department of State Services charged Sowore over an August 2025 social media post calling President Tinubu “a criminal”. Prosecutors say the X and Facebook posts violated the Cybercrimes Act and were capable of inciting public disorder.
Sowore pleaded not guilty when arraigned late 2025 and insisted he was exercising free speech. The court dismissed his no-case submission in May and ordered him to open his defense.
The case took a sharp turn this month after Sowore missed a court date. Justice Umar revoked his bail, issued an arrest warrant, and ordered him remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre. Sowore is now representing himself after his lawyers withdrew, citing “humiliation” in court.
On Monday the judge dismissed Sowore’s motion seeking his disqualification over alleged bias, clearing the way for today’s hearing. Supporters who gathered outside clashed briefly with DSS operatives, alleging Sowore was injured inside the court before being handed to correctional officers.
DSS has tendered Sowore’s social media posts, video of Tinubu’s Brazil speech that triggered the comments, and testimony from a cyber monitoring operative who said the post “generated tension”.
Sowore has maintained the post was political criticism, not cyberstalking.
Civil rights group SERAP is demanding Sowore’s release and withdrawal of charges, calling it a crackdown on free speech. Former LP presidential candidate Peter Obi warned against “treating critics and journalists as threats to the state”.
Meanwhile, Sowore said“I am going to prison, but I will be out. And when I am out, I will be stronger, more ferocious, and face these people headlong”.
