The Federal Government has removed Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corporation from the cybercrime case filed against activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, leaving him as the only defendant in the matter. The decision was made on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the prosecution amended the original charge.
The case, filed under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was first brought before the court on December 2, 2025, with Sowore, Meta, and X listed as defendants. The government accused Sowore of making false and harmful statements about President Bola Tinubu through posts on his verified social media accounts.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution informed the court that a new charge filed on December 5, 2025, was ready to be read. Following this, the earlier charge was withdrawn, and the prosecution formally asked the court to remove Meta and X from the case. The trial judge granted the request and struck out both companies.
Under the amended charge, Sowore is accused of sending a message on August 25, 2025, through his verified X account, @YeleSowore. The prosecution claims the post was false and capable of causing public disorder. Sowore pleaded not guilty when the charge was read in court.
The prosecution then sought to begin trial and present its first witness. This move was opposed by Sowore’s lawyer, who argued that the amended charge was incomplete because it did not list any witnesses or include witness statements. He said this denied the defence the chance to prepare properly for trial.
The prosecution disagreed, stating that the law does not require the disclosure of a witness’s identity before trial. After hearing both sides, the judge ordered the prosecution to provide the defence with the witness statement.
The case was adjourned to Thursday, January 22, 2026, for a definite hearing.