JUST IN: Court Rejects Sowore’s Evidence That Tinubu Called Jonathan ‘Drunkard’

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to admit a document presented by Omoyele Sowore which claimed that President Bola Tinubu once described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a “drunkard” in 2011.

The court reached the decision on Wednesday while hearing Sowore’s cybercrime trial. The activist had attempted to tender the document as evidence through a prosecution witness.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the exhibit could not be accepted. He said the witness brought forward by Sowore did not confirm the authenticity of the document and distanced himself from it.

The witness, Mr. Cyril Nosike, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, told the court during cross-examination that he had no knowledge of Tinubu ever making such remarks about Jonathan. He also denied awareness of statements allegedly describing Jonathan as “a sinking fisherman.”

Following this response, DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, objected to the admission of the document. He argued that the witness was not the maker of the material and could not verify its origin, as required by law.

Justice Umar upheld the objection and rejected the document.

In a similar move, the court also refused another exhibit which claimed that Tinubu had once referred to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “an expired meat.” The prosecution again opposed its admission, and the court agreed.

During cross-examination, Sowore’s lawyer questioned the DSS witness on corruption-related issues in Nigeria. The witness declined to give opinions, stating that his duty was limited to national security matters.

Asked whether corruption still existed in the country, the witness said he was not in a position to answer. He also said he was unaware of reports that 115 DSS officers were dismissed in 2025 over corruption allegations.

When shown publications relating to the dismissals, the witness maintained that he was not involved in the internal process and could not confirm that the cases bordered on fraud.

The DSS operative further denied knowledge of Nigeria’s ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Index. He said he was not aware that Nigeria was ranked 140 out of 180 countries.

He also told the court that he did not know about claims linking President Tinubu to the killing of Chief Funsho Williams, a Lagos politician who was murdered years ago. He said he only knew Williams by name and could not recall details of the incident.

The witness equally denied awareness of videos and protests by former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, accusing Tinubu of wrongdoing abroad.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter until March 5 for continuation of cross-examination.

Sowore is standing trial for calling President Tinubu a “criminal” in a social media post. The federal government filed a two-count charge against him under the Cybercrimes Act.

The controversial post was made on August 25, 2025, shortly after Tinubu declared during a visit to Brazil that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.

Following the post, the DSS wrote to X and Meta, demanding the removal of Sowore’s statement and the suspension of his accounts. The agency also asked Sowore to delete the post himself.

When neither Sowore nor the platforms complied, the government proceeded with prosecution.

The FG alleged that the post was capable of causing public disorder and damaging the reputation of the President. It said the publication violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Sowore was first arraigned in December 2025 and later re-arraigned in January 2026. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.