The Federal Government (FG) has amended the cybercrime charges filed against activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over a social media post in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

In the amended charge, X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook), initially listed as defendants, have been delisted. The number of counts has also been reduced from five to two. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and dated December 4, 2025, was signed by a team of three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) led by Akinolu Kehinde, SAN.

Sowore, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, is expected to enter a fresh plea before Justice Mohammed Umar. The FG alleges that his August 25, 2025 post on X and Facebook was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and to tarnish the President’s reputation.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had previously requested the removal of the post and suspension of Sowore’s accounts, but both the activist and platforms declined to comply, prompting the FG to press charges.

Justice Umar had earlier granted Sowore bail on self-recognisance, noting that he had surrendered his international passport and was a former presidential candidate. However, the court barred him from making statements that could jeopardize national peace and security, warning that violation could lead to bail revocation.

The amended charge reads that Sowore “knowingly or intentionally” sent messages via X and Facebook aimed at causing law and order disruption or posing a threat to life, contrary to Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a)-(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.