Meta Inc. Seeks Removal From Nigerian Cyberbullying Case
Meta Inc., formerly known as Facebook, has requested to be removed from a federal government charge in Nigeria. The case involves activist Omoyele Sowore, who allegedly cyberbullied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Meta's lawyer argued it had no involvement in the matter.
The Federal Government sued Sowore, Meta Inc., and Elon Musk's X Inc. (formerly Twitter) as co-defendants. Sowore was accused of publishing false and defamatory claims against the President, referring to him as 'a criminal' in a social media post. The government argues this contravenes the Cybercrimes Act, 2024. Meta's lawyer, Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, informed Justice Mohammed Umar that Meta would file an application to strike out its name from the charge. At the planned arraignment, Sowore was present, while the second defendant was not represented by counsel.
Meta Inc.'s request to be removed from the charge adds to a growing list of prosecutions under the Cybercrimes Act. The Act has become one of the most cited pieces of legislation in Nigeria's digital space. The court will now consider Meta's application.
