December 3, 2025 – In a significant development for Nigeria's ongoing debates on free speech and digital rights, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted prominent activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore bail on self-recognition following his arraignment on cybercrime charges. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, came with a stern warning: Sowore must refrain from making any statements that could incite the public against President Bola Tinubu. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, underscores escalating tensions between the Nigerian government and vocal critics of its leadership, raising broader questions about the balance between national security and constitutional freedoms.
Sowore, 53, the founder of the online news platform Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Umar's court on a five-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. The charges stem from allegedly derogatory social media posts on platforms owned by Meta (Facebook) and X (formerly Twitter), where Sowore reportedly referred to President Tinubu as a "criminal." Prosecutors accused Sowore of criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and sending false information that could disrupt public order. The suit also lists X and Meta as co-defendants, alleging their platforms facilitated the dissemination of the contentious content.
Upon the reading of the charges, Sowore, dressed in a simple white shirt and trousers, maintained a composed demeanor as he entered a not guilty plea to all counts. The activist's defiance echoes his long history of challenging state authority, but the court's conditions now place him under a judicial gag order of sorts, prohibiting utterances that could be deemed inflammatory.
The courtroom drama began before the plea when Sowore's lead counsel, Marshall Abubakar, mounted a preliminary challenge to the suit's competence. Abubakar argued vehemently that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over what he described as a "politically motivated" cybercrime allegation. The prosecution swiftly countered, noting that the DSS had been served with the objection only that morning and required time to file a counter-affidavit. Justice Umar, in a concise ruling, deferred the jurisdictional motion, emphasizing procedural fairness, and ordered the charges to proceed.
Post-plea, the focus shifted to bail. Abubakar renewed his application for self-recognition bail, highlighting Sowore's impeccable court attendance record, his deposit of an international passport with the registry, and his status as a two-time presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019 and 2023. The prosecution pushed back aggressively, painting Sowore as a habitual offender with a "history of breaching court orders" during prior detentions and warning that granting bail could embolden further "threats to public order." Lawyers for X and Meta, present as co-defendants, notably did not oppose the bail.
Justice Umar, weighing the arguments, sided with the defense. In his ruling, he acknowledged Sowore's consistent compliance with judicial processes and the lack of concrete evidence linking the posts to immediate national security threats. "Bail is a constitutional right, not a privilege to be withheld on mere suspicion," Umar declared, granting self-recognition bail without monetary surety. However, the judge appended a cautionary directive: Sowore must avoid any remarks "detrimental to the peace and security of the country," with potential revocation for violations. The matter was adjourned to January 19, 2026, for full trial.
This is not Sowore's first brush with the Nigerian security apparatus. The current suit traces back to September 2025, when the DSS first filed charges over a series of X posts criticizing Tinubu's administration on issues like economic hardship, alleged corruption, and policy failures. Sowore's now-infamous post, which labeled Tinubu a "criminal" in reference to unproven financial scandals, went viral. In response, Sowore countersued the DSS, Meta, and X, accusing them of collusion in attempted censorship.
Sowore's lawyer, Tope Temokun, who assisted Abubakar in the countersuit, framed the saga as a "fight for the survival of free speech in Nigeria." Temokun declared: “If state agencies can dictate to global platforms who may speak and what may be said, then no Nigerian is safe; their voices will be silenced at the whims of those in power.” He further argued that censorship of political criticism “is alien to democracy,” invoking Section 39 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression subject only to limits on threats to public safety. Temokun's words resonated widely, with human rights groups like Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) condemning the charges as "disproportionate and chilling."
The case arrives at a precarious juncture for Nigeria's digital landscape. Under Tinubu's administration, there has been a noted uptick in cybercrime prosecutions against journalists and activists. The 2024 amendment to the Cybercrimes Act expanded penalties for "offensive" online conduct, drawing criticism from the international community for potentially stifling dissent.
Public reaction has been polarized. Supporters rallied outside the court, chanting "Free Sowore! No to tyranny!" On X, the hashtag #SoworeBail trended nationally, blending solidarity from civil society with mockery from pro-government accounts. Prominent figures like Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka called the trial a "farce that erodes democratic gains."
Sowore's activism dates to the early 2000s, when he co-founded Sahara Reporters as an exposé platform, earning accolades for uncovering graft but also enmity from power brokers. His 2019 #RevolutionNow protests led to a five-month detention under the Buhari regime. Running for president twice under the AAC, Sowore has positioned himself as a radical voice against elite capture.
As Sowore steps out on bail, the onus falls on him to navigate the fine line between advocacy and incitement. Legal experts predict the jurisdictional challenge could delay proceedings, potentially escalating to appellate courts. For Tinubu's government, grappling with low approval ratings amid inflation and insecurity, the case serves as a deterrent to online critics—but at the risk of alienating a tech-savvy youth demographic.
Observers warn that this episode could set precedents for digital expression in Africa's most populous nation. As the January hearing looms, Nigeria watches closely: Will justice affirm free speech, or fortify the state's armor against dissent?
