Alleged Libel Against Tinubu: Court Fixes Jan. 22 For Sowore’s Trial

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has fixed January 22, 2026, for commencement of trial of the Publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged false claim and libel against President Bola Tinubu.
The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday, after Sowore was arraigned on an amended two-count charge filed against him by the Department of State Services, DSS, and pleaded not guilty to the counts.
The amended charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 was filed on December 5, 2025 with Sowore as the sole defendant.
Although Sowore, X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp were named in the earlier charge as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, only Sowore's name appeared as the sole defendant in amended charge, as the second and third defendants were dropped.
In count one of the amended charge, the DSS alleged that Sowore, on or about August 25, 2025, did knowingly send a message by means of a computer system or network, through his official “X” (formerly Twitter) handle page, @YeleSowore, allegedly posted the following tweet: “This criminal@officlalABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria.
“What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
According to the DSS, the message, which Sowore knew to be false, was said to have been posted for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, posing a threat to life, or causing such message to be sent.
The defendant was also, alleged to have committed an offence of cyberstalking contrary to Section 24(1) (b) and 24(2) (a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under the same section.
The prosecution lawyer applied that the names of the 2nd and 3rd defendants be removed and Justice Umar struck out “X” and Facebook from the charge, even as the prosecution, thereafter, pleaded that the two counts be read to Sowore.
Counsel to Sowore, Marshal Abubakar, did not oppose the prosecution's application that the charge be read to his client for him to take his plea.
After the counts were read to Sowore, he pleaded not guilty and Abubakar prayed the court to allow Sowore continue to enjoy his earlier bail granted to him and the court granted it.
The DSS lawyer then informed the court that the prosecution witness was in court to testify in the case and that they were ready to proceed
However, the defence counsel told the court that they were not ready to go on with the case.
Abubakar submitted that in the proof of evidence attached to the charge, names of witnesses were listed but no single name was mentioned in the amended charge. 
He also, observed that no new single testimony of the witnesses were attached, contrary to the provisions of Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, noting that he needed adequate time and facility to prepare their defence.