Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned ruling on the no-case submission filed by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in his ongoing cyberstalking trial.
The trial is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of defamatory posts against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The ruling will be delivered on May 8, 2026, after both parties adopted their final written addresses in the case, with Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, arguing for the dismissal of the charges.
Abubakar requested that the court discharge and acquit Sowore, stating that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
He further argued that the DSS had not provided credible evidence to link Sowore to the alleged offences, which stemmed from social media posts in which he reportedly described Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Abubakar also criticized the prosecution for not calling key witnesses, deeming this omission a fatal flaw in its case. He urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and terminate the trial.
On the other hand, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), counsel for the DSS, opposed the submission. He argued that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence, including witnesses and exhibits, to establish a prima facie case and that Sowore should be ordered to enter his defence. Kehinde insisted that the charges were supported by evidence and urged the court to reject the application.
The case, which involves charges of cyberstalking and making false statements against President Tinubu, stems from two social media posts allegedly made by Sowore on August 25, 2025. The first post, made on his verified X handle (@YeleSowore), accused President Tinubu of lying about the state of corruption in Nigeria. The second post was allegedly made on Sowore’s Facebook account.
The Federal Government, through the DSS, amended the charges before Sowore’s re-arraignment on December 5, 2025, and has accused him of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Amendment) Act, 2024. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar fixed May 8, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the no-case submission.
