The Department of State Services on Tuesday brought SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations tied to cyber-related offences.
The charges stem from posts Sowore made in August, where he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” Despite a demand from the DSS to delete the posts, Sowore declined, prompting the agency to initiate legal proceedings.
During his appearance in court, Justice Mohammed Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognizance. The judge, however, issued a stern warning, prohibiting him from making any further statements deemed harmful to national peace and security, and cautioned that the bail could be revoked if he violated this order.
Tuesday’s session followed two earlier failed attempts to arraign him, which the DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), said were stalled by objections raised by the defence.
Justice Umar noted that Sowore’s previous status as a presidential candidate and the fact that his international passport remained in the court’s custody made him eligible for bail without conditions beyond self-recognizance.
The decision came shortly after his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, argued his bail application. Sowore had just taken his plea on a five-count charge accusing him of defaming President Tinubu through posts on X and Facebook. He pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
Prosecutors claim the posts violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as provisions of the Criminal Code Act. Also named in the suit—filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025—are X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc.
