The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 27, 2025, for the arraignment of human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Tuesday after the arraignment was stalled due to the failure of the prosecution to serve Sowore with the charge sheet.

At the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from the Federal Ministry of Justice told the court that the government was prepared to arraign Sowore alongside X Corporation and Meta (Facebook) Inc., listed as co-respondents in the case.

Sowore’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, however, objected, stressing that his client had not been served with the charges. Counsel for Meta also raised a similar concern, noting that he was only served during Tuesday’s sitting. X Corporation was not represented in court.

Alleged Offensive Post

According to the prosecution, Sowore used his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to publish an “offensive post” on August 25, 2025, in violation of Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2024.

The charges were initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and filed through the DPP in collaboration with lawyers from the Ministry of Justice.

The case follows a September 8 ultimatum issued by the DSS demanding that Sowore delete what it described as “false, malicious, and inciting” posts about President Bola Tinubu from his X account. Sowore refused, and the ultimatum expired on September 15, prompting the legal action.

Sowore Counters With Rights Suit

In response, Sowore has filed two separate fundamental rights suits at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the DSS, Meta, and X Corporation.

His lawyer, Tope Temokun, argued that the cases challenge what he called “unconstitutional censorship” of social media accounts in Nigeria.

“If state agencies can dictate to global platforms who may speak and what may be said, then no Nigerian is safe. Their voices will be silenced at the whims of those in power,” Temokun said in a statement.

Wider Implications

The case has reignited debates over freedom of expression and digital rights in Nigeria, with rights groups warning that the outcome could set a precedent for state control of online speech.

All eyes are now on October 27, when Sowore is expected to enter his plea before Justice Umar.