By 
By Osasómé C.O
The Federal Government has filed a lawsuit against politician Omoyele Sowore, Meta (Facebook’s parent company), and X Corp (formerly Twitter) over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.
RELATED: Taming the scourge of cyberbullying in Nigeria
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, was filed on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The suit was instituted by Mohammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Sowore is publisher of Sahara Reporters and 2019 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). He faces five charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
He allegedly described Tinubu as a “criminal” in an X post on August 25, sparking concerns of incitement and public disorder.
Alleged Cyberbullying and DSS Intervention
The Federal Government accuses Sowore of deliberately publishing false and defamatory claims intended to stir unrest among Nigerians with opposing political views.
The post read:
“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!”
Reports indicate the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier requested that the post be removed from Facebook and X.
Sowore Counters With Fundamental Rights Suits
In response, Sowore has filed two separate lawsuits at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against the DSS, Meta, and X Corp.
His lawyer, Tope Temokun, confirmed that the suits challenge what Sowore describes as unconstitutional censorship of his social media accounts.
Cyberbullying Laws in Nigeria: Key Provisions
Nigeria regulates online harassment through the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Enforcement) Act, 2015. The law prohibits false, threatening, or indecent messages transmitted via computer systems or social networks.
- Section 24 prohibits false or harmful messages that disrupt public order.
- Penalties include fines up to ₦7 million and/or five years imprisonment.
- Aggravated harassment, involving threats of death or bodily harm, carries sentences of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Notable Cyberbullying Cases in Nigeria
Cases of cyberstalking and online harassment are increasingly being prosecuted in Nigerian courts.
In August 2023, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced TikToker Okoye Blessing Nwakaego to three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦150,000 for cyberstalking Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus.
The ruling underscored the government’s determination to enforce online safety laws and hold offenders accountable in the digital space.
