Court to Rule on Sowore's No-Case Submission in Cyberstalking Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja is poised to deliver a crucial ruling on May 8, 2026, concerning the cyberstalking trial of activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore. The case, brought forth by the Department of State Services (DSS), centers on alleged defamatory social media posts made by Sowore against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore's defense, led by counsel Marshall Abubakar, has filed a no-case submission, asserting that the prosecution has failed to present credible evidence linking Sowore to the alleged offenses. Abubakar argued that the DSS has not established a prima facie case, urging the court to dismiss the charges and acquit his client. The defense highlighted the prosecution's failure to call vital witnesses as a significant omission that could prove fatal to the case.

Conversely, the DSS, represented by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposes Sowore's application. The prosecution maintains that through its witnesses and tendered exhibits, it has successfully established a prima facie case, necessitating that Sowore present his defense. The DSS is urging the court to reject the no-case submission and proceed with the trial.

This legal battle underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding freedom of speech and the use of social media in Nigeria, particularly concerning criticism of public officials. The court's decision will have significant implications for Sowore, his media organization, and the broader discourse on political expression in the country. The proceedings have seen the charges amended and Sowore re-arraigned, indicating the complexity and sensitivity of the case.

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This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.