Court Admits Reno Omokri Video as Evidence in Sowore’s Cyberstalking Trial
A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted video evidence of former presidential aide Reno Omokri calling President Bola Tinubu an "international drug baron" during the ongoing cyberstalking trial of activist Omoyele Sowore.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar admitted the footage on Tuesday after dismissing objections from the Department of State Services (DSS) prosecution team. The court held that the defence had complied with the requirements of the Evidence Act regarding electronically generated materials.
The trial involves a two-count amended charge against Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate. The government alleges that Sowore committed cyberstalking by describing President Tinubu as a "criminal" in social media posts shared on X and Facebook on August 25, 2025.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Marshal Abubakar played a clip from a 2023 Arise News interview. In the video, Omokri—who has recently served as a vocal supporter of the current administration—claimed to possess "documentary evidence" that the President was a "drug lord".
Abubakar used the video to challenge the DSS on why Sowore is being prosecuted for similar remarks while Omokri was cleared for a government-nominated ambassadorial role.
The first prosecution witness, DSS operative Cyril Nosike, testified that the agency filed the charges due to the "security implications" of Sowore's posts. However, under questioning, Nosike admitted he had received no direct instruction or formal complaint from President Tinubu to initiate the case.
The witness also confirmed he did not interview the President to determine if the social media posts had caused him any personal distress or harm. Additionally, the court admitted a separate video of President Tinubu promising to protect the rights of Nigerians to criticise or "abuse" him.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter until February 4, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination.
