Court Declines Arrest Warrant on Sowore, Move Arraignment to December 2
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday declined to issue a warrant of arrest against human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, despite his absence in court for arraignment on charges of criminal defamation.
Sowore, alongside Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter), is facing a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The charges border on the alleged publication of false and defamatory statements against the security agency and some of its top officials.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel to the DSS informed the court that the first defendant, Sowore, had been duly served with the charge but failed to appear for arraignment.
The prosecution consequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest to compel his appearance.
However, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon declined the request, noting that the court would give the defendant another opportunity to appear voluntarily before taking any coercive action. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2025, for arraignment and further hearing.
The DSS, in the charge, accused Sowore of using his verified social media platforms to publish what it described as false and malicious content against the agency and some of its senior personnel.
The agency claimed that the posts not only damaged its reputation but also undermined national security operations.
The inclusion of Meta and X Corporation as co-defendants, according to the prosecution, stems from their alleged failure to moderate or remove the contentious posts despite formal complaints from the DSS.
Reacting to the development outside the courtroom, one of Sowore’s associates described the charges as “a continuation of political persecution” aimed at silencing critical voices and restricting press freedom.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and prominent government critic, has faced multiple legal battles since his arrest in 2019 over his #RevolutionNow protests.
He has consistently maintained that his activism is rooted in promoting democracy, accountability, and good governance.
The case is expected to test the boundaries between freedom of expression and national security as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution.
