A Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the arraignment of activist Omoyele Sowore and two others on cybercrime charges to October 27.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar on Tuesday adjourned the matter after it was learnt that the federal government did not serve the charge sheet on Sowore as stipulated by law.
When the matter was called, Sowore through his lead counsel, Abubakar Marshall Esq protested that he had not seen a copy of the charge or be served as required by law.
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Similarly, he said that the second defendant, X, had also not been served and since the trial is on joint charge, the arraignment cannot hold.
The third defendant, Meta, was represented by Professor Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).
Replying, the lead counsel to the federal government and the Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, denied the allegations of non-service of the charge and insisted that Sowore had been served.
Following the submission, the trial judge consulted the file and confirmed that the defendants have not been served.
The DPPF subsequently applied for an order to serve them in the open court which was granted.
Sowore personally accepted the service in the open court and requested for three days to study the charges as required by law.
The federal government had filed five-count charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR)481/2025 accusing Sowore of using his official X handle page @YeleSowore to tweet: “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 alleged offending post said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024 was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
In count two, Sowore was said to have on August 26 used his official page Facebook to send the same false message out for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country especially among those who hold divergent views on the person of President Tinubu.
The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024; sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
