Sowore Arraignment Stalled in Tinubu Case

The arraignment of Omoyele Sowore on charges of allegedly defaming President Bola Tinubu was delayed after the prosecution failed to serve the defendants with the charge sheet.

In the heart of Nigeria's busy capital, where politics and activism often clash dramatically, a courtroom standoff has highlighted the fragile boundary between criticism and criminality. On September 30, 2025, Omoyele Sowore, the passionate publisher of SaharaReporters, human rights advocate, and former presidential candidate, appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja, only for his arraignment on defamation charges to encounter a procedural obstacle. This delay, caused by a simple yet critical failure to properly serve the charges, exposes deeper tensions surrounding free speech under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The saga began on August 25, 2025, when Sowore took to social media, calling Tinubu a "criminal" in response to the president's claims of eradicating corruption during a state visit to Brazil. This wasn't just a tweet; it was a bold retort from a man who's no stranger to challenging authority, having endured arrests and trials for his anti-corruption stance. The Department of State Services (DSS) quickly demanded Sowore retract the post, apologize publicly, and deactivate his verified X account, demands he defied, asserting his constitutional right to critique the leader. "One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet," he fired back on X, highlighting what many see as an attempt to muzzle dissent.

By September 23, the DSS escalated the case, filing a five-count charge against Sowore for cyberstalking, defamation, and publishing false information intended to incite public disorder—violations under Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act and Penal Code. Interestingly, tech giants X Corp (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms (Facebook's parent company) were included as co-defendants, accused of facilitating the spread of the allegedly defamatory content. The DSS had urged both platforms to remove the posts, but while X notified Sowore and declined to take unilateral action, Meta's response remains silent.

In court, presided over by Justice Umar Muhammad, the proceedings unfolded quickly. Sowore's lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, objected to any plea, arguing that his client hadn't been personally served with the charges—a fundamental requirement for due process. The prosecution claimed service had occurred, but a review of records showed otherwise; only electronic service to X and Meta was documented. Although served in court, Sowore still couldn't proceed—Nigerian law requires at least three days after service for preparation. Meta's lawyer, Mofeso Oyetibo, contributed, questioning their inclusion since no specific counts targeted the company. The judge adjourned the case to October 27, 2025, giving all parties time to regroup.

This isn't Sowore's first rodeo; his history includes the #RevolutionNow protests and earlier forgery charges, often dismissed as politically motivated. Groups like SERAP and Amnesty International have rallied, urging Tinubu to drop the charges, citing his own promises of tolerance toward criticism. For Sowore, it's a fight for free expression in a democracy where voices like his help keep power in check. As the case continues, it raises important questions: In seeking accountability, is Nigeria suppressing the very freedoms that define it? The October hearing might provide answers, but the debate over dissent still goes on.