The Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja has refused to confess a doc offered by Omoyele Sowore which claimed that President Bola Tinubu as soon as described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a “drunkard” in 2011.
The courtroom reached the choice on Wednesday whereas listening to Sowore’s cybercrime trial. The activist had tried to tender the doc as proof by means of a prosecution witness.
Justice Mohammed Umar dominated that the exhibit couldn’t be accepted. He stated the witness introduced ahead by Sowore didn’t affirm the authenticity of the doc and distanced himself from it.
The witness, Mr. Cyril Nosike, a Division of State Companies (DSS) operative, advised the courtroom throughout cross-examination that he had no data of Tinubu ever making such remarks about Jonathan. He additionally denied consciousness of statements allegedly describing Jonathan as “a sinking fisherman.”
Following this response, DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, objected to the admission of the doc. He argued that the witness was not the maker of the fabric and couldn’t confirm its origin, as required by regulation.
Justice Umar upheld the objection and rejected the doc.
In the same transfer, the courtroom additionally refused one other exhibit which claimed that Tinubu had as soon as referred to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “an expired meat.” The prosecution once more opposed its admission, and the courtroom agreed.
Throughout cross-examination, Sowore’s lawyer questioned the DSS witness on corruption-related points in Nigeria. The witness declined to offer opinions, stating that his obligation was restricted to nationwide safety issues.
Requested whether or not corruption nonetheless existed within the nation, the witness stated he was not ready to reply. He additionally stated he was unaware of reviews that 115 DSS officers have been dismissed in 2025 over corruption allegations.
When proven publications referring to the dismissals, the witness maintained that he was not concerned within the inner course of and couldn’t affirm that the instances bordered on fraud.
The DSS operative additional denied data of Nigeria’s rating on Transparency Worldwide’s Corruption Index. He stated he was not conscious that Nigeria was ranked 140 out of 180 international locations.
He additionally advised the courtroom that he didn’t learn about claims linking President Tinubu to the killing of Chief Funsho Williams, a Lagos politician who was murdered years in the past. He stated he solely knew Williams by title and couldn’t recall particulars of the incident.
The witness equally denied consciousness of movies and protests by former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, accusing Tinubu of wrongdoing overseas.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter till March 5 for continuation of cross-examination.
Sowore is standing trial for calling President Tinubu a “legal” in a social media put up. The federal authorities filed a two-count cost towards him beneath the Cybercrimes Act.
The controversial put up was made on August 25, 2025, shortly after Tinubu declared throughout a go to to Brazil that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.
Following the put up, the DSS wrote to X and Meta, demanding the removing of Sowore’s assertion and the suspension of his accounts. The company additionally requested Sowore to delete the put up himself.
When neither Sowore nor the platforms complied, the federal government proceeded with prosecution.
The FG alleged that the put up was able to inflicting public dysfunction and damaging the fame of the President. It stated the publication violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Modification) Act, 2024.
Sowore was first arraigned in December 2025 and later re-arraigned in January 2026. He pleaded not responsible to all fees.