The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore in a cyberbullying case brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ruled on Friday that the DSS had established a prima facie case against Sowore over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The judge said the prosecution had linked Sowore to the posts and that the defendant did not deny making them.

Sowore had asked the court to discharge and acquit him on the two-count charge, arguing that the DSS presented only one witness and that President Tinubu did not testify. Justice Umar held that the law does not require the victim to testify where other evidence links the defendant to the alleged offence.

The court fixed *May 19* for Sowore to open his defence.

During the hearing, Sowore addressed the court directly and accused Justice Umar of bias, requesting that he recuse himself from the case. He alleged that the judge was working with the federal government to secure a conviction that would bar him from contesting the 2027 elections. His counsel, Marshall Abubakar, supported the request and asked that the case be reassigned.

DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, opposed the oral application and urged the court to dismiss it. Justice Umar ruled that Sowore must file a formal recusal application stating his grievances before the court can rule on the matter.