The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, against the Department of State Services (DSS) and Meta Platforms Incorporated.
Delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Umar held that the application lacked merit and that Sowore was not entitled to the reliefs sought. The court further awarded costs of ₦500,000 each in favour of the DSS, its Director‑General, and Meta Platforms, amounting to ₦1.5 million.
Sowore had approached the court after Meta deactivated his Facebook account and removed a post in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” He alleged that the action was taken on the directive of the DSS and its DG, and argued that his rights to fair hearing, freedom of expression, and association had been violated.
Justice Umar, however, ruled that the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution applies only to judicial or quasi‑judicial proceedings, not to actions by private entities such as Meta. He further held that freedom of expression is not absolute and may be curtailed to protect the reputation and rights of others, noting that Sowore’s post was disparaging.
The court concluded that Meta acted within its own policies and independent judgment, and that the DSS merely exercised its right to report content it considered unlawful. Consequently, all three issues raised by Sowore were resolved against him, and the suit was dismissed in its entirety.
... Federal High Court Dismisses Sowore’s Rights Suit Against DSS and Meta, Awards N1.5m Costs ... Naijaonpoint.