The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused to grant a request by the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, who failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment on criminal defamation charges.
Sowore, alongside Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter), is facing a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, filed by the DSS. The agency accused him of publishing “false and defamatory” statements against it and some senior officials, acts it claimed had damaged their reputation and violated national security protocols.
The DSS particularly cited a post on Sowore’s verified social media pages where he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal,” a statement the agency said contravened the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The charge followed a formal request by the DSS for the alleged defamatory messages to be taken down from Sowore’s Facebook and X accounts.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), asked Justice Mohammed Umar to issue a bench warrant against Sowore, arguing that the activist had been duly served with the charges and hearing notice but chose to stay away from court.
“The absence of the first defendant without legal representation is an affront to the sanctity of this court,” Kehinde said, urging the court to order Sowore’s arrest “wherever he may be found.”
However, Justice Umar declined the request, citing procedural lapses. The judge noted that X Corporation, a co-defendant in the case, had informed the court through its counsel, Christabel Ndiokwelo, that it had not been served with the formal charge sheet, even though it received a hearing notice.
In light of that submission, the court directed that all parties be properly served with the relevant court documents before the next sitting.
The judge thereafter adjourned the case to December 2, 2025, for arraignment.
Counsel to Meta (Facebook) Inc., Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), aligned with the prosecution, stating that Sowore’s failure to appear despite a letter sent by activist Deji Adeyanju seeking an adjournment on his behalf amounted to a deliberate attempt to frustrate proceedings.
The DSS, in its filings, alleged that Sowore’s social media post referring to President Tinubu as “a criminal” was calculated to cause public disorder and tension among citizens with differing political views.
Justice Umar, in his ruling, stressed the importance of due process and directed the DSS to ensure proper service on all defendants before the next court date.
The case will resume on December 2, when Sowore, Meta, and X Corporation are expected to be formally arraigned.