The Federal Government has filed a criminal suit against Nigerian politician and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, for allegedly cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu, joining Meta Platforms Inc. and X Inc. as co-defendants in the case.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
It accuses Sowore of contravening provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
According to the charge sheet, Sowore, a two-time presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), allegedly used his official X handle (@YeleSowore) to describe President Tinubu as “a criminal” in a post on August 25.
Prosecutors claim the post was false and designed to cause a breakdown of law and order among citizens with opposing political views.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier requested the removal of the posts on Facebook and X before the case was filed.
The government argues that by hosting the alleged defamatory content, both Meta and X enabled its circulation and therefore bear responsibility under Nigerian law.
The suit alleges violations under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises using computer systems or networks to disseminate information known to be false with intent to cause public disorder.
Legal analysts say the inclusion of Meta and X as defendants marks a significant escalation in the Federal Government’s efforts to hold global social media companies accountable for content posted by Nigerian users.
The case could test the extent of jurisdiction Nigerian courts can claim over foreign tech giants operating within its digital space.
If convicted, Sowore faces potential prison time and fines, while Meta and X could be compelled to adopt stricter compliance measures in Nigeria to monitor and remove posts deemed defamatory or unlawful.
The case is expected to reignite debates around free speech, state power, and the regulation of digital platforms in Nigeria’s political landscape.
