The federal high court in Abuja has struck out the cyberbullying charge filed against Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, by Kayode Egbetokun.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Musa Liman held that the prosecution failed to diligently pursue the case.
In January 2025, Egbetokun had arraigned Sowore on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, to which the activist pleaded not guilty.
Before the arraignment, Sowore had been invited by the police for questioning over allegations of cyberstalking, negligent acts, and intimidation. The invitation was linked to a viral video in which he confronted officers who stopped his vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagos.
He was later granted bail, with the court ordering him to submit his passport as part of the conditions.
The case experienced multiple adjournments. On March 17, the prosecution sought another adjournment to enable it replace its counsel. However, Abubakar Marshall, counsel to Sowore, opposed the request and urged the court to dismiss the matter.
In his ruling, Liman upheld the objection and struck out the charges for lack of diligent prosecution.
Following the decision, the police filed an ex parte motion seeking to relist the case for a fresh trial but later withdrew the application.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the court also struck out the application for relisting the case, and Sowore’s passport was subsequently released through his lawyers.