Cyberbullying Tinubu: Court fixes May 8 to rule on Sowore’s no-case submission
Federal High Court Sets Date for Ruling on Sowore’s No-Case Submission
Abuja — Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court has scheduled a ruling on activist Omoyele Sowore’s no-case submission for May 8, 2026. The submission relates to charges brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore faces trial for reportedly labeling the president a “criminal” on his X handle. The court set the ruling date following the conclusion of final arguments from both Sowore and the DSS regarding the no-case submission, which Sowore filed on April 21, 2026.
In his arguments, Sowore’s attorney, Marshall Abubakar, contended that the prosecution had failed to establish a link between Sowore and the alleged offenses. He requested the court to dismiss the charges, asserting that no prima facie case had been made against him. Abubakar further criticized the prosecution for not calling key witnesses, claiming this omission was detrimental to its case.
Conversely, the DSS, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, opposed the no-case submission. Kehinde argued that sufficient evidence had been presented to establish a prima facie case against Sowore and urged the court to require him to enter a defense.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore on behalf of the Federal Government under amended cyberbullying charges. In a revised charge filed on December 5, 2025, Sowore, a presidential candidate for the Action Alliance Congress, was re-arraigned on two counts related to cyberstalking.
The charges state that on or about August 25, 2025, Sowore allegedly sent messages via his X and Facebook accounts that were intended to harm public order and contain false information about the president.
Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
