The State Security Service (SSS), on Thursday, played the video evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s speech made on August 26, 2025, during his state visit to Brazil, in establishing its cyberstalking charge against publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore.
The video recording was played while SSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, led Cyril Nosike, the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) and an operative of the service, in evidence before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The prosecution also tendered Mr Sowore’s message which he posted through his X handle and Meta, formerly known as Facebook, where he referred to the president as “criminal” and the reactions that followed, including a certificate of compliance.
Justice Umar admitted them in evidence and marked them as exhibits after counsel for the defendant, Marshal Abubakar, reserved his objection until final written addresses stage.
After the evidence-in-chief of the PW-1, Mr Abubakar sought an adjournment to enable them study the witness’ statement and other documents front-loaded to them.
The judge adjourned the matter until January 27 for cross-examination of the PW-1 and continuation hearing.
In the amended charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and filed on December 5, Mr Sowore is named as sole defendant.
Although Mr Sowore, X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp were named in the earlier charge as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, in the amended charge, the names of 2nd and 3rd defendants were dropped.
(NAN)
