By Desire Emmanuel
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, December 2, arraigned activist, Omoyele Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of cybercrime.
He was however granted bail on self-recognition and the trial judge, Justice Mohamed Umar, barred him from making statements capable of inciting the public or undermining national security.
The judge also warned that the bail earlier granted to Sowore would be revoked if he made further remarks deemed harmful to the peace and security of the country.
Sowore’s arraignment followed two earlier failed attempts, which the DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), blamed on what he described as legal obstacles introduced by the defence.
Justice Umar noted that Sowore, having previously contested for the presidency and already being under an existing bail condition with his international passport in the court’s custody, was entitled to bail on self-recognition.
The ruling came shortly after Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, moved a fresh bail application.
Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge accusing him of defaming President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal in posts made on X and Facebook. The DSS alleges that his actions contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Criminal Code Act.
Sowore pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Two other defendants — X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. are also listed in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025.
