Also listed as co-defendants in the suit are X Corp., owners of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook.
According to court documents obtained on Tuesday, the DSS accused Sowore of publishing false and defamatory information against the President, with the intent of causing public disorder. The suit, filed on September 16, 2025, by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Ministry of Justice, alongside other government lawyers, has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no date has been fixed for arraignment.
The charges are based on Sowore’s posts on August 25 and 26, 2025, where he described Tinubu as a “criminal” following the President’s remarks during a state visit to Brazil, claiming corruption no longer existed under his administration. The DSS listed as exhibits Sowore’s tweets, Facebook posts, and official correspondence with Meta and X requesting the removal of the content.
In one of the charges, the DSS cited Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, alleging that Sowore knowingly spread false information “to incite disorder” and damage the President’s reputation.
Sowore’s Response
Sowore, who is also the publisher of SaharaReporters, has rejected attempts to compel him to delete the posts. In a public response, he declared that no pressure from the DSS or the presidency would force him to retract his statements.
“You have no business telling me how to criticise the President,” he said. “The determination of the Nigerian people to reclaim their country from thieves in power is unwavering.”
He also accused Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, of trying to silence critics after Onanuga privately messaged him, suggesting he had “misinterpreted” Tinubu’s comments. Sowore dismissed the overture, insisting Nigerians had the right to interpret public statements as they see fit.
Social Media Platforms Dragged In
The DSS had earlier petitioned Meta and X to delete Sowore’s posts and deactivate his accounts, describing the remarks as “false, malicious, and inciting.” While Meta has yet to issue a response, X confirmed receipt of the request but refused to take down the content. Sowore, in turn, vowed never to delete the post, saying: “One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet.”
Background
Sowore has long been a thorn in the side of Nigerian authorities, facing multiple arrests and detentions over his outspoken criticism of government policies. The latest charges add to his ongoing battles with security agencies, underscoring the growing tension between state power and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
