The Federal Government on Tuesday arraigned activist and publisher, Omoleye Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge bordering on making alleged false statements against President Bola Tinubu on social media.

The suit also listed X (formerly Twitter) and Meta, owners of Facebook and Instagram, as co-defendants.

According to the charge sheet, Sowore allegedly used his verified X handle on August 25 to post a comment accusing President Tinubu of dishonesty. The post read: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

Prosecutors argued that the statement contravened Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, which criminalises the use of computer systems to transmit false information capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The government maintained that Sowore’s comments were intended to incite public unrest and breed disaffection against the President.

The case came up for hearing on Tuesday morning with Sowore present in court. Proceedings are ongoing.