Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has pleaded not guilty to amended charges of cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The hearing, which resumed on Monday, was dominated by procedural arguments over access to prosecution documents.
The Government counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a two-count amended charge against Sowore on 5 December 2025.
The amendment removed X and Facebook from the list of accused parties, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant.
Kehinde stated that the prosecution was ready to commence trial and had a witness present.
However, defence counsel Abubakar Marshal opposed the move, arguing that the prosecution had failed to attach witness statements and information to the amended charge.
Marshal cited Section 36(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees an accused person the right to be fully informed of the nature of the offence, including access to witness depositions and names.
Responding, Kehinde maintained that further adjournment would not serve the interest of justice, pointing out that previous delays had been at the instance of the defence.
He added that in criminal proceedings, unlike civil cases, only a list of witnesses and exhibits is required at this stage.
Ruling on the objection, Justice Mohammed Umar directed the prosecution to provide all relevant documents to the defence to ensure a fair hearing.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until 22 January 2026 for the commencement of trial.
According to the charge sheet, Sowore is accused of knowingly disseminating false messages on his social media platforms, referring to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
One of the posts cited reads:
“This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The prosecution contends that the statements were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and posed a threat to public safety.
If convicted, the charges carry a penalty of a minimum fine of N15 million or imprisonment for up to five years.
