Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday has barred activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore from making derogatory public comments.
He said although Sowore previously ran for president and already has his international passport in the court’s custody, these factors only justified a bail on self recognition not a licence for provocative commentary.
Sowore, who was arraigned earlier in the day, pleaded not guilty to a five count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). Prosecutors alleged that he defamed President Bola Tinubu by calling him a “criminal” in posts on X and Facebook, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, also lists X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. as co defendants.
Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, had argued for bail, insisting the allegations were politically motivated, but Justice Umar warned that any repeat of “reckless or inflammatory remarks” would lead to immediate bail revocation.