Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, 6 July 2026, as proceedings resumed in the high-profile case filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) over comments in which he described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as "a criminal". The case, which has become a lightning rod for debates over free speech and political persecution in Nigeria, came up before Justice Muhammed Umar following Sowore's arraignment last week and the court's decision to grant him bail in the sum of N200 million with stringent conditions. Ahead of the proceedings, Sowore reiterated his resolve to continue resisting what he described as political persecution, insisting that the charges would not intimidate him. Posting on his social media page before the court session, Sowore wrote: "At the Federal High Court in Abuja to face down the terrible gang of thieves led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We will not be silenced, or defeated. The struggle continues until WE WIN!".
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over remarks it alleges are defamatory and were directed at President Tinubu. The charges stem from social media posts made by Sowore on his official X and Facebook accounts in August 2025, in which he referred to the President as "a criminal" and accused him of lying about ending corruption in Nigeria. The DSS filed a five-count charge against Sowore, arguing that his statement about the president was criminal in nature and punishable under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act. The prosecution has described the comments as defamatory and a threat to public safety.
Sowore's legal battle has been marked by a series of dramatic twists. In December 2025, he was initially granted bail on self-recognisance after his arraignment. However, on 16 June 2026, the court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for proceedings. Sowore, who had been present in court the previous day when the judge was unavailable, condemned the decision as an attempt to "assert forceful control over the trial". He was subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. On 30 June 2026, Justice Umar granted Sowore bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties. Under the conditions, one surety must be a traditional ruler from Sowore's community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, while the second must own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory. The court also ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the court registrar pending the determination of the case.
The trial has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society organisations and opposition figures, who have described the prosecution as a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent. Human rights lawyer and activist Aisha Yesufu has publicly challenged the DSS over the case, questioning why the agency was focusing on Sowore's remarks while lives and properties remained unsafe across the country. The DSS Director-General, however, has defended the prosecution, stating that the agency chose Sowore's case to serve as an example for others and to deter online abuse. In a recent interview, Sowore insisted that his remarks were based on facts and not political rhetoric, declaring: "I'm ready to prove it in court". He cited an alleged tax-related case involving Alpha Beta and claimed that court documents connected to the case were destroyed during the #EndSARS protests. "It's a statement of fact. If anybody has been involved in drug dealing or drug trafficking, there is no statute of limitation. Even if you are president, when your presidency is over, the law can still take its course," Sowore said.
The case has also raised broader questions about the use of cybercrime legislation to suppress political dissent in Nigeria. The DSS had also named X Corp. and Facebook as co-defendants in the suit, arguing that the platforms could be held criminally liable for hosting Sowore's critical posts. However, the social media companies later withdrew from the legal proceedings. Sowore has accused the government of persuading the platforms to withdraw to prevent them from providing documents related to government actions against free speech. The trial has now entered a critical phase, with Sowore expected to formally open his defence against the five-count charge. As the proceedings continue, the activist remains defiant, vowing that the struggle for justice and free expression will not be silenced. For Sowore and his supporters, the case has become a defining moment in the fight for democratic accountability in Nigeria—a fight they insist will continue until victory is won.
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