In a dramatic legal twist that has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria, the Federal Government has reportedly filed a lawsuit against activist Omoyele Sowore, as well as social media giants Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), over allegations of cyberbullying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to sources within the Ministry of Justice, the suit was lodged at a Federal High Court in Abuja and accuses the defendants of “coordinating, enabling, and amplifying false, malicious, and derogatory content” directed at the President. The government contends that such activities amount to cyberbullying, defamation, and a violation of Nigeria’s newly enforced cybercrime laws.
Omoyele Sowore, a well-known human rights activist, journalist, and former presidential candidate, has been one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration. He is accused in the suit of “using digital platforms to incite public hatred, spread misinformation, and tarnish the image of the President both locally and internationally.”
The inclusion of Facebook and X in the lawsuit has raised eyebrows globally, as the government argues that the platforms failed to regulate content flagged as “harmful and abusive” toward Nigeria’s head of state. Authorities claim that both companies ignored repeated warnings to curb what they describe as coordinated online harassment.
A senior government official, speaking under anonymity, defended the move: “No one is above the law. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to malign or cyberbully. The Presidency has been subjected to sustained online abuse and misinformation, and it is the duty of the government to act.”
However, the suit has already triggered a storm of criticism from civil rights groups, opposition politicians, and media stakeholders, who argue that the case is a thinly veiled attempt to stifle free speech and silence dissent. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the lawsuit, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for online expression and digital rights in Nigeria.
Digital rights advocates also noted that suing global platforms like Facebook and X over user-generated content could plunge Nigeria into a wider confrontation with international tech firms, especially at a time when online spaces are central to political discourse and civic engagement.
Sowore, reacting via his X account, dismissed the suit as “frivolous, cowardly, and a direct attack on democracy,” vowing not to be intimidated. “You can sue Facebook, X, or even the entire internet, but you cannot stop Nigerians from speaking truth to power,” he wrote.
Legal experts suggest the case could drag on for years, especially with questions over jurisdiction, platform liability, and the constitutional limits of free speech in Nigeria. If pursued aggressively, it may also test the resilience of Nigeria’s judiciary in balancing state authority with citizens’ rights.
As the case gains traction, all eyes will be on how Facebook and X respond to the allegations, and whether this could open a new chapter in the battle between governments and global tech companies over online speech regulation.
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