A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director-General, and Meta Platforms Incorporated, bringing the case to an end after the court ruled that it lacked merit.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, who resolved all issues raised in the suit against the applicant and declined to grant any of the reliefs sought. The court also ordered Sowore to pay ₦1.5 million in costs to the DSS, its Director-General, and Meta.
Background of the case
Sowore had approached the court alleging that the DSS, acting through its Director-General, influenced the removal of a Facebook post in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” He also claimed that Meta Platforms deactivated his account following pressure from the security agency, arguing that his constitutional rights to freedom of expression, fair hearing, and association had been violated.
Court’s decision
In its ruling, the court held that:
- The right to freedom of expression is not absolute and can be restricted under lawful circumstances.
- Meta acted based on its own internal policies and independent judgment.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence showing that his fundamental rights were violated or threatened.
Based on these findings, the court dismissed the case in its entirety.
Outcome and reaction
With the ruling, Sowore lost all claims in the suit, while the DSS and other respondents were awarded costs. The decision has drawn attention in legal and political circles, especially regarding the limits of online speech and the role of security agencies in digital content disputes.
The case adds to ongoing national debates about constitutional rights, social media regulation, and the boundaries of lawful expression in Nigeria.
