Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore faces criminal charges after describing President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal,” sparking debate on whether the remark is protected free speech or punishable defamation.
Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, is facing legal action after describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal” in a viral social media post.
The Department of State Services (DSS) charged Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging his remarks were defamatory and a threat to public order. The agency also pressured X Corp. to remove the post, but Sowore refused, vowing not to retract until Tinubu’s term ends.
The case has reignited debate about the limits of free expression in Nigeria. Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, though Section 45 allows restrictions on grounds of public order and security.
Legal experts including Femi Falana, Mike Ozekhome, and Inibehe Effiong argue that Sowore’s comment falls within political activism and should not be criminalised. They warn that treating defamation as a criminal matter undermines democracy.
The court is expected to determine whether Sowore’s post breaches constitutional protections or qualifies as an offense under Nigeria’s criminal and cybercrime laws.