The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally removed Meta Platforms Inc., Facebook and X Inc. (formerly Twitter) from the cyberbullying charges filed against activist and politician Omoyele Sowore.
The decision was announced on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the case is being heard.
The charges centred on a post Sowore shared on his official X account, @YeleSowore, in which he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and questioned claims that corruption had ended under the current administration.
According to the prosecution, the post was false and capable of causing public unrest, which formed the basis of the cyberbullying charge against the activist.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who is presiding over the case, struck out the names of Meta and X and ordered that the amended charges be read to Sowore.
Sowore, represented by his lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read in court. He also requested full disclosure of the prosecution’s witnesses and evidence, as provided for under Nigerian law, to enable him prepare his defence.
Legal practitioners say the development could set an important precedent, noting that individuals may be held personally responsible for what they post online, regardless of the platforms involved.
The government has submitted materials including screenshots of the social media post, letters sent to Meta and X, and a video of President Tinubu’s comments made during a trip to Brazil, as evidence.
The court adjourned the case, with the trial scheduled to continue on January 22.
