The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 27, 2025, for the arraignment of Human Rights Activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the case on Tuesday after the scheduled arraignment was stalled due to the non-service of the charge sheet on Sowore.

At the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from the Federal Ministry of Justice informed the court that the prosecution was fully prepared to arraign Sowore alongside 𝕏 Corporation and Meta (Facebook) Inc., who were listed as the first to third respondents.

However, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, raised an objection, stating that his client had not been served with the charges.

Counsel representing Meta also aligned with Abubakar’s position, confirming that he had only just been served in court.

The second respondent, X Corporation, was not represented in court.

Alleged Offensive Post

The prosecution alleged that Sowore, a former presidential candidate, used his official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle to publish an “offensive post” on August 25, 2025, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

..., according to the charge, violated Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2024.

The five-count charge was initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and filed through the DPP and other lawyers from the Ministry of Justice.

Naijaonpoint reports that the case follows an earlier face-off between the DSS and Sowore. On September 8, the DSS issued a one-week ultimatum demanding that the activist delete what the agency described as “false, malicious, and inciting” posts about President Bola Tinubu from his 𝕏 account.

Sowore refused to comply, and the ultimatum expired on September 15 without the removal of ...s, prompting the DSS to proceed with legal action.

Sowore Counters With Rights Suit

In response, Sowore filed two separate fundamental rights suits at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the DSS, Meta, and 𝕏 Corporation.

According to his legal team, led by Tope Temokun, the suits challenge what they described as “unconstitutional censorship” of Sowore’s social media accounts.

Temokun, in a statement, said the cases were about protecting the survival of free speech in Nigeria.

“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 argued.

The case has reignited debates over free speech and state control of digital spaces in Nigeria. Rights groups say the outcome will have far-reaching implications for freedom of expression, especially online.

Naijaonpoint reports that all eyes are now on October 27, when Sowore is expected to take his plea before Justice Umar.