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Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media

The Federal High Court in Abuja has overruled the no-case submission filed by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore in the amended cyberbullying charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring Sowore to enter a defence. The court directed the defence to file all necessary applications, including a formal notice of defence and any preliminary objections, by 19 May, 2026.

Sowore, the convener of the RevolutionNow movement, was charged in October 2025 under the Cybercrimes Act after a petition alleged that his social media posts constituted cyberbullying and incitement against a top government official. He has consistently pleaded not guilty and has described the charges as "politically motivated and a brazen attempt to criminalise constitutionally protected free speech."

His counsel, Barrister Marshal Abubakar, told journalists after the ruling that the defence would comply with the court's directive and continue to challenge the charges. "We respect the ruling, but we maintain that these charges are without merit. We will present a robust defence and demonstrate that this prosecution is an abuse of process," Abubakar said.

The case has attracted significant international attention, with Amnesty International describing it as "politically charged" and calling for its withdrawal. Media freedom organisations have warned that the outcome could set a precedent for the use of cyber laws to silence dissent.

Sowore, who was present in court, told reporters that he remains undaunted. "I will continue to speak truth to power. This case is not about me; it is about the future of free expression in Nigeria. I am ready for the fight," he said.

The case has been adjourned to 19 May for the filing of defence applications and the fixing of a trial date.

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