The legal battle between the Nigerian government and activist Omoyele Sowore took a dramatic turn today, Friday, May 8, 2026, as the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his “no-case submission” and ordered him to open his defense.
The trial, which centers on allegations of cyberbullying against President Bola Tinubu, has moved from a procedural debate into a full-blown courtroom confrontation involving allegations of judicial bias.
The Ruling: A Prima Facie Case
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ruled that the prosecution, led by the Department of State Services (DSS), has provided enough evidence to warrant a formal defense from Sowore:
- The Charge: The case stems from social media posts made by Sowore on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook in late 2025, where he allegedly referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
- The Court’s View: Justice Umar upheld the arguments of the DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), stating that a prima facie case had been established. The judge emphasized that Sowore must now provide an explanation for the issues raised by the prosecution witnesses.
- Defense Argument Rejected: Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, had argued that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to link his client to a crime, but this was dismissed by the bench.
Courtroom Drama: The Recusal Demand
Immediately following the ruling, the proceedings shifted from legal technicalities to a tense personal exchange:
- Bias Allegations: Addressing the court directly, Sowore accused Justice Umar of being biased. He referenced an incident from March 16, 2026, where he claimed the judge “humiliated” his lawyer by ordering him to kneel down during a sitting.
- The Request for Recusal: Stating that he was “not sure” he would get justice in the current court, Sowore and his legal team requested that the judge recuse himself (step down) from the case.
- The Next Steps: The judge has ordered Sowore’s team to file a formal written application for his recusal and adjourned the matter until May 19, 2026, for a hearing on the motion.
Context: From Treason to Cyberbullying
Sowore’s legal history has been a long and winding road:
The legal battle between the Nigerian government and activist Omoyele Sowore took a dramatic turn today, Friday, May 8, 2026, as the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his “no-case submission” and ordered him to open his defense.
The trial, which centers on allegations of cyberbullying against President Bola Tinubu, has moved from a procedural debate into a full-blown courtroom confrontation involving allegations of judicial bias.
The Ruling: A Prima Facie Case
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ruled that the prosecution, led by the Department of State Services (DSS), has provided enough evidence to warrant a formal defense from Sowore:
- The Charge: The case stems from social media posts made by Sowore on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook in late 2025, where he allegedly referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
- The Court’s View: Justice Umar upheld the arguments of the DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), stating that a prima facie case had been established. The judge emphasized that Sowore must now provide an explanation for the issues raised by the prosecution witnesses.
- Defense Argument Rejected: Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, had argued that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to link his client to a crime, but this was dismissed by the bench.
Courtroom Drama: The Recusal Demand
Immediately following the ruling, the proceedings shifted from legal technicalities to a tense personal exchange:
- Bias Allegations: Addressing the court directly, Sowore accused Justice Umar of being biased. He referenced an incident from March 16, 2026, where he claimed the judge “humiliated” his lawyer by ordering him to kneel down during a sitting.
- The Request for Recusal: Stating that he was “not sure” he would get justice in the current court, Sowore and his legal team requested that the judge recuse himself (step down) from the case.
- The Next Steps: The judge has ordered Sowore’s team to file a formal written application for his recusal and adjourned the matter until May 19, 2026, for a hearing on the motion.
Context: From Treason to Cyberbullying
Sowore’s legal history has been a long and winding road:
- The 2024 Treason Strike-out: In February 2024, the Federal Government discontinued a high-profile treasonable felony case against Sowore that had lasted over five years.
- The New Front: This 2026 trial represents a shift in strategy by the state, moving from “revolution” charges to specific “cyberbullying” and “false claim” charges under the Cybercrimes Act.
