At the resumed proceedings, the prosecution disclosed that Sowore is now the only defendant in the case, following the removal of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook from the charge.

Lead prosecutor, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the Federal Government filed the amended charge on December 5, 2025, and was prepared to commence trial, noting that a prosecution witness was already present in court.

However, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, opposed the move to begin trial, arguing that the amended charge was fundamentally flawed because it was not accompanied by witness statements or depositions.

Marshal relied on Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person’s right to be properly informed of the charges and to have access to the prosecution’s evidence ahead of trial.

According to the defence, the failure to attach witness statements amounted to a breach of Sowore’s right to fair hearing.

In response, Kehinde urged the court to dismiss the objection, accusing the defence of deliberately stalling the proceedings. He maintained that in criminal trials, the law only requires a list of witnesses and exhibits, unlike civil matters, and added that most previous adjournments were requested by the defence.

He argued that further delays would undermine the interest of justice.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar emphasised the importance of fair hearing and ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with all necessary documents.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter to January 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Under the amended charge, the Federal Government alleges that Sowore knowingly spread false information on social media by describing President Tinubu as a “criminal.”

One of the posts referenced by the prosecution allegedly stated that President Tinubu falsely claimed during a visit to Brazil that corruption no longer exists in Nigeria.

The prosecution argued that the publication was capable of inciting public disorder and threatening public safety.

Sowore, if found guilty, faces a possible sentence of a fine of at least ₦15 million, a prison term of up to five years, or both.