The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly making false posts against President Bola Tinubu, with the intention of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The charges, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), also list X Incorporation (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) as co-defendants.
Sowore allegedly used his official X handle to post; “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!” The post is said to be contrary to Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024.
The DSS had previously requested that X and Facebook remove the post, but they reportedly declined to comply, leading to the charges.
If convicted, Sowore risks a combined sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment and fines, while X and Meta could face heavy corporate fines and potential restrictions on their operations in Nigeria.
