Federal High Court Bars Sowore from Speaking Against National Peace
A Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore from making statements that could undermine the peace and security of Nigeria.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Umar, warned that Sowore’s bail could be revoked if he engages in any conduct deemed detrimental to the country’s stability.
Justice Umar emphasized that, as a former presidential candidate and having previously been granted bail, Sowore remains eligible for bail on self-recognition, noting that his international passport is still held by the court.
The decision followed a bail application by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, after Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge for allegedly defaming President Bola Tinubu.
The charges, brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), relate to posts Sowore made on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, in which he referred to the President as a “criminal.”
Sowore, who was the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in 2019, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
The charges, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, allege violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act. The other defendants in the case include social media giants X Incorp and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.
The court’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s caution in balancing freedom of expression with national security, signaling that any statements perceived as threatening to public peace may result in stricter measures against the accused.
