The trial of politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore over alleged cyber defamation and cybercrime opened on Thursday, with a Department of State Services (DSS) witness telling the court that Sowore’s social media post describing President Bola Tinubu as a criminal generated tension and posed a threat to public safety.

Testifying as the prosecution’s first witness, Cyril Nosike, an operative of the DSS, said Sowore’s post on X and Facebook accusing the President of criminality had the potential to destabilise the country and complicate the work of security agencies.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the DSS for allegedly making false claims against President Tinubu in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), Nosike told the court that he is stationed at the DSS Cyber Space Monitoring Centre, where officers monitor online activities round the clock. He said that on August 26, 2025, he detected a post by Sowore on X in which the defendant referred to the President as “this criminal @OfficialABAT”.

According to him, Sowore wrote: “This criminal @OfficialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

Nosike said he downloaded the video attached to the post, saved it on a flash drive marked as exhibit XYZ, and produced a certificate of compliance. The defence counsel, Marshall Abubakar, reserved objection, while Justice Mohammed Umar admitted the items in evidence.

At the prosecution’s request, the video was played in open court. It showed President Tinubu speaking in Brazil about his administration’s achievements and urging investors to do business in Nigeria in what he described as a more conducive, corruption-free environment.

Shortly after the video was played, Kehinde drew the court’s attention to Sowore using his mobile phone in the dock. Although the defendant attempted to deny it, Justice Umar frowned at the conduct and ordered that the phone be retrieved. Sowore initially resisted the court official, saying, “Don’t touch my phone,” but later sought and obtained permission to personally hand it to his lawyer. The judge then directed that the phone be placed on the table before the court.

Continuing his testimony, Nosike said he also took screenshots of reactions generated by Sowore’s post and that the DSS wrote to X and Meta requesting the takedown of the content because it was “generating tension”. He added that the service also wrote to Sowore through his lawyers, demanding a retraction.

He told the court that despite the confidential nature of the letter, Sowore posted a screenshot of it on Facebook, which attracted widespread reactions that were disparaging to the DSS and portrayed the agency in a bad light. Copies of the letters and screenshots were tendered and admitted in evidence.

Nosike said such inciting posts undermine national security. “We have officers and men who have sworn on oath to put themselves on the line for the security and stability of this country. Such posts that generate tension make our work more difficult, and we take them very seriously,” he said.

When it was time for cross-examination, Abubakar asked for time to study the testimony. Although the prosecution opposed the request, Justice Umar granted a short adjournment and fixed January 27 for cross-examination and continuation of hearing.

Earlier, the defence attempted to stall proceedings by claiming that the prosecution failed to serve witness summaries and materials as ordered by the court. However, after being shown proof of service from the court registry, Abubakar admitted service and apologised, after which the judge directed the prosecution to call its first witness.