Trial has begun in the Cyberdefamation case against rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, with the Department of State Services (DSS), on Thursday, playing a video evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s speech made on August 26, 2025, during a State visit to Brazil, in a legal technique to establish charges of cyberstalking against Sowore, before a Federal Court in Abuja.
The video recording was played, as the court overruled Sowere’s move to tender the video evidence, while SSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, led in evidence the first Prosecution witness, Cyril Nosike, an operative of the Nigerian secret police.
The Prosecution also tendered Sowore’s message, which he posted through his X handle and Meta, formerly known as Facebook, where he referred to the President as “criminal” and the reactions that followed, including a certificate of compliance.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar admitted all items in evidence and marked them as exhibits.
The Counsel for the defendant, Marshal Abubakar, reserved his objections until final written addresses stage, while praying the Court for an adjourned date to enable them study the witness’ statement and other documents front-loaded to them.
The matter was adjourned the matter until Jan. 27 for cross-examination of the first Prosecution witness.
In the amended charge by the Federal government, Sowore is named as sole defendant, removing, X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta Incorp (Facebook), who were defendants in the previous charge.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
