FG v. Sowore: Court Rejects Publications, Adjourns Case to March 5
By Mercy Omotosho
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, rejected two sets of documents sought to be tendered by the defence during the cyberstalking trial of activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore and adjourned the case to March 5, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.
Sowore is standing trial in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, filed by the Federal Government and prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), over allegations that he cyberstalked President Bola Tinubu by describing him as a “criminal” in posts made on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
Proceedings resumed with the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness (PW2), Cyril Nosike, a DSS official.
Before cross-examination continued, the prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), raised an allegation that a member of the defence team had livestreamed previous court proceedings on social media without authorisation. Kehinde urged the court to order an investigation, describing the act as capable of undermining the integrity of the court.
The defence denied the allegation and vouched for its members, suggesting that the livestream may have been carried out by operatives of the DSS or persons linked to the Presidency.
Defence counsel urged the court not to allow the issue distract from the substantive trial.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Umar said such conduct amounted to contempt of court, adding that an investigation could be ordered to identify whoever was responsible.
During cross-examination, Nosike told the court that President Tinubu had an official X handle at the time of the alleged offence, which he identified as “@officialABAT.” He rejected the defence’s suggestion that the President’s handle was “@PBAT.”
Asked whether he tendered any court judgment or document to show that corruption had ended in Nigeria, the witness replied in the negative. When asked directly whether corruption exists in Nigeria, Nosike said:
“I am not a politician. I am not here to give my opinion, but to state the facts.”
Nosike also denied knowledge of reports that the DSS dismissed 115 officers for corruption in November 2025, stating that those dismissed were removed following internal investigations and “not specifically for corruption.”
He further told the court he was unaware that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged five former governors for corruption, arrested former officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over an alleged ₦7.2 billion fraud, or dismissed 27 EFCC officers for fraud and misconduct.
On global corruption perception, the witness said he was not aware of Transparency International or Nigeria’s ranking of 140 out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perception Index.
Defence counsel attempted to tender printed media publications from BusinessDay and ARISE Television relating to corruption cases involving public officials. The prosecution objected, arguing that the witness had already disclaimed knowledge of the documents.
In his ruling, Justice Umar agreed with the prosecution, stating: “You cannot tender a document through a witness who said he does not know anything about it.”
The documents were accordingly marked rejected.
A second set of documents was also rejected. These included publications which the defence claimed showed that President Tinubu, in 2011, described then President Goodluck Jonathan as “corrupt and shameless,” “a drunkard,” and “a sinking fisherman,” and referred to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “expired meat.”
Nosike told the court he was unaware of such statements and said he would be surprised if documents confirming them were shown to him.
Justice Umar rejected the documents for the same reason as the first set, noting that the witness had denied knowledge of their contents.
The witness also denied awareness of social media allegations by Femi Fani-Kayode accusing President Tinubu of having knowledge of the murder of Chief Funso Williams, a former Lagos State governorship candidate, or claims that DSS screened Fani-Kayode in connection with his ambassadorial nomination.
Nosike confirmed that he knew Reno Omokri, an ambassador-designate appointed by the current administration, but said he was unaware of any videos or protests in which Omokri allegedly accused President Tinubu of drug trafficking or complicity in Williams’ murder.
After about one hour and forty minutes of cross-examination, Justice Umar noted that the defence had already spent two days questioning the witness. Although the prosecution opposed further adjournment, the judge granted the defence one final opportunity in the interest of fairness.
“In the spirit of fairness, I will adjourn for the last time for cross-examination,” Justice Umar ruled.
The case was adjourned to March 5, 2026, for the final continuation of cross-examination.
