Sowore to Face Trial Over Alleged False Statements Against President Tinubu

Sowore to Face Trial Over Alleged False Statements Against President Tinubu

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 22, 2026, for the commencement of the trial of Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate, over an alleged false claim against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore is facing charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) under the Cybercrimes Act, following claims that he made false and defamatory statements about the President on his social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. He has, however, pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.

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During proceedings, Sowore’s legal team objected to the immediate start of the trial, citing the prosecution’s failure to provide full details of its witnesses and evidence, which they said could undermine his right to fair hearing. The court subsequently ordered the prosecution to comply and adjourned the matter to the newly fixed date.

The case has continued to attract public attention, reigniting debate over freedom of expression, cybercrime laws, and the limits of online criticism of public officials in Nigeria. Legal analysts say the outcome could set an important precedent for how political commentary on social media is treated under Nigerian law.

Sowore to Face Trial Over Alleged False Statements Against President Tinubu