Get Guardian on GoogleThe Federal Government has filed a five-count against the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of publishing false information about President Bola Tinubu on social media with the intent to cause public disorder.
Court documents show that Sowore was charged alongside X. Corporation and Meta Platforms (owners of Facebook), who were listed as co-defendants in the matter.
According to the charge, Sowore allegedly posted on his verified X handle on August 25: “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 Federal Government said the post contravened Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, insisting that it was made within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
Government prosecutors argue that the post was calculated to “cause breakdown of law and order” and undermine public confidence in the presidency.
ChannelsTV, which quoted unnamed sources within the Ministry of Justice, reported that Sowore will be arraigned in Abuja in the coming days, with a formal date to be announced.
Neither Sowore nor his legal representatives have publicly responded to the charges. X. Corporation and Meta are yet to issue statements on their inclusion in the suit.
The court is expected to communicate further directions to the parties once the case is assigned to a judge.
