FG Sues Sowore, Facebook, X Over Post Calling Tinubu ‘Criminal’

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, filed a five-count charge against activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for describing President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in a social media post.

The charge, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, M. B. Abubakar, alleged that Sowore’s statement contravened Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as Sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

Also listed as the 2nd and 3rd defendants are X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Inc. (Facebook), the platforms where Sowore’s posts were published.

The controversial post, made on August 25, 2025, followed President Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil, during which he claimed his administration had “successfully ended corruption in Nigeria.” Sowore reacted by posting:

“THIS CRIMINAL @ OFFICIAL PBAT ACTUALLY WENT TO BRAZIL TO STATE THAT THERE IS NO MORE CORRUPTION UNDER HIS REGIME IN NIGERIA. WHAT AUDACITY TO LIE SHAMELESSLY.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) subsequently petitioned X and Facebook to delete Sowore’s account and take down the post. It also wrote to the activist demanding removal of the content, but neither he nor the platforms complied.

According to the FG, Sowore’s post was intended to incite unrest and “tarnish the reputation and personality of President Tinubu.” Exhibits filed include printouts of the posts and DSS letters to both social media companies.

The charge also accused Sowore of publishing “defamatory material” against the President with the aim of sparking division among Nigerians.

No date has yet been fixed for Sowore, Facebook, and X to be arraigned.

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