By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request by the Department of State Services (DSS), to issue a bench warrant against activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, who was absent for arraignment on criminal defamation charges.
Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the court could not proceed after X Corporation (formerly Twitter), a co-defendant, disclosed it had not been served with the charge sheet.
The judge adjourned the matter to December 2, 2025, directing that all defendants be properly served.
The DSS, represented by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), accused Sowore of evading court despite being served, describing his absence as “an affront to the court.”
Sowore faces five counts of criminal defamation alongside Meta (Facebook), Inc. and X Corporation over alleged false posts on social media said to defame the DSS and breach national security.
Justice Umar ordered proper service of the charges and hearing notices before the next sitting.
