The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 22 for the commencement of trial of the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged false claims made against President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Umar set the date on Monday after Sowore was arraigned on a two-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). Sowore pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and filed on December 5, lists Sowore as the sole defendant. In the earlier charge, X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Inc. (Facebook) were named as co-defendants, but their names were struck out following an application by the prosecution.
According to the DSS, Sowore allegedly posted a message on August 25, 2025, via his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, accusing President Tinubu of falsely claiming that corruption no longer existed in Nigeria during a visit to Brazil. The prosecution alleged that the post was knowingly false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The offence was said to contravene Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
After the amended charge was read, Sowore entered a plea of not guilty. His counsel, Marshal Abubakar, asked the court to allow his client to continue on the earlier bail granted to him, a request Justice Umar approved.
Although the prosecution indicated readiness to proceed with trial and said its witness was present in court, the defence objected, arguing that the proof of evidence did not contain the names or depositions of any witnesses. Abubakar contended that this omission violated Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution and deprived the defence of adequate time and facilities to prepare.
The DSS counsel, Kehinde, opposed the argument, describing it as a delay tactic. He maintained that the law does not require the prosecution to disclose the names of witnesses before trial and urged the court to proceed.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the matter to January 22 for definite hearing.
