The Federal Government has filed a five-count criminal charge against politician and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of cyberbullying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was lodged at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with Meta (Facebook) Inc. and X Inc. (formerly Twitter) also listed as co-defendants. The charge, dated September 16, was filed by Mohammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sowore—who contested the presidency in 2019 and 2023 under the African Action Congress (AAC)—is alleged to have violated the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

One of the counts alleges that on August 25, Sowore used his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, to call President Tinubu “a criminal” and accused him of lying about corruption in Nigeria. Prosecutors say the statement was false and intended to incite disorder among citizens with divergent political views.

The charges come just days after the Department of State Services (DSS) requested the removal of the post from Facebook and X, signalling a tougher stance by the government against online attacks on the Presidency.

Critics are already framing the case as a test of the Tinubu administration’s tolerance for dissent and free speech in the digital space. Sowore, a longtime government critic, has often clashed with security agencies over his activism and sharp commentaries.

If convicted, he faces stiff penalties under Section 24(1)(b) of the amended Cybercrimes Act and related provisions.