Court Rejects Sowore’s No-Case Submission, Orders Defence in DSS Cyberbullying Trial Against Tinubu

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by politician and activist Omoyele Sowore in a cyberbullying case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), ordering him to open his defence on May 19.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ruled on Friday that the prosecution had established a prima facie case sufficient for the defendant to be required to respond to the charges.

The case, brought by the Department of State Services, accuses Sowore of allegedly making defamatory statements on social media, including referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”

Sowore had asked the court to discharge and acquit him, arguing that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and relied on a single witness, while also noting that the alleged victim did not testify.

However, Justice Umar held that the evidence presented by the DSS was sufficient to link Sowore to the alleged offence, noting that the defendant did not deny making the social media posts in question.

“The defendant did not deny posting the offensive messages online,” the judge ruled, adding that established legal principles allow a case to proceed where there is credible evidence connecting an accused person to the allegations.

Following the ruling, DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, indicated readiness to proceed with the trial, while Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, attempted to address the court on his client’s behalf.

Sowore later addressed the court directly, alleging bias and calling for the judge’s recusal, claiming the proceedings were politically motivated and intended to prevent him from contesting the 2027 general elections.

His counsel echoed the call for reassignment of the case file to another judge, arguing that the defendant could not obtain a fair hearing.

The DSS opposed the request, insisting that proper legal procedure requires formal application for recusal rather than oral submissions.

In his ruling, Justice Umar directed Sowore to formally file an application outlining his grievances if he wished to pursue the recusal request.

The court subsequently fixed May 19 for the defendant to enter his defence, marking a continuation of the high-profile legal battle.

The case adds to ongoing legal and political tensions involving free speech, state security agencies, and public commentary ahead of the 2027 election cycle.