Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta, Imposes N1.5m Fine
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, and Meta Platforms, Incorporated (formerly Facebook).
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, resolved all three issues raised in the suit against Sowore, refused all reliefs sought, and ruled that the case lacked merit.
The judge also ordered Sowore to pay N1.5 million in costs to the respondents.
Sowore had claimed in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1887/2025 that Meta, acting on instructions from the DSS and its DG, violated his rights by taking down a Facebook post in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and deactivating his account.
In the post, published on 26 August 2025, Sowore said, “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
Sowore argued that Meta’s action, allegedly prompted by the DSS, breached his rights to fair hearing, freedom of expression, and association.
On the issue of fair hearing, Justice Umar held that Sowore’s claim was misplaced, noting that the right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution applies only to judicial proceedings.
He said, “There would be no case of infringement of the right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) when the decision alleged to have violated one’s constitutional right to fair hearing is that of a non-judicial body… fair hearing is not applicable to the instant case.”
Regarding freedom of expression and association, the judge ruled that Sowore’s post, which targeted the President, did not amount to a violation by the DSS or Meta.
He explained that constitutional rights are not absolute and may be restricted to protect the rights and reputation of others.
Justice Umar added that Meta acted under its own policies and independent judgment, and reporting of Sowore’s post by the DSS did not constitute an infringement of his rights.
On whether Sowore was entitled to the reliefs sought, the judge held that he had failed to prove that his rights were violated or likely to be threatened.
Justice Umar said, “A careful perusal of the deposition of the applicant… shows that he has failed to convince this court that his rights… have been or are likely to be threatened by the respondents. I find no merit in this application and it is hereby dismissed.”
Following applications for costs, Justice Umar awarded N1.5 million against Sowore, with N500,000 allocated to each respondent, including the DSS, its DG, and Meta.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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