By Taiye Agbaje

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, filed a suit against politician Omoyele Sowore, Facebook’s parent company Meta, and X Corp. for allegedly cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), is facing a five-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

He is accused of making false claims against President Tinubu by describing him as “a criminal” in a post on his official X handle, @YeleSowore, on Aug. 25.

The post read: “THIS CRIMINAL @OFFICIALPBAT ACTUALLY WENT TO BRAZIL TO STATE THAT THERE IS NO MORE CORRUPTION UNDER HIS REGIME IN NIGERIA. WHAT AUDACITY TO LIE SHAMELESSLY!”

The prosecution alleged that Sowore knowingly published the false statement to cause a breakdown of law and order, especially among Nigerians with divergent views about the President.

The charge was filed days after the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly requested that the post be taken down from Facebook and X.

The FG also joined Meta and X as co-defendants for allegedly providing the platforms used in disseminating the post.

The case is yet to be assigned for hearing. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza