The Federal High Court has adjourned the alleged cyberbullying case against Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, until October 2. The adjournment will enable him to continue presenting his defence.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal and accused him of misrepresenting the extent of corruption in Nigeria. After the prosecution concluded its case, the court rejected Sowore’s no-case submission and ordered him to defend himself.

At the latest hearing, Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, informed the court that a subpoenaed DSS witness was absent. He argued that the defence could not proceed effectively without the witness and noted that the defence might seek a warrant compelling the witness to appear. He also presented newspaper reports suggesting that the DSS intended to request a suspension of proceedings until after the general elections.

Prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, disputed the relevance of the reports, describing them as unreliable social media-based information. He maintained that it was the responsibility of the defence to produce its witness and urged the court to compel Sowore to proceed or risk having his defence foreclosed.

Justice Mohammed Umar, however, granted the defence another opportunity to produce the subpoenaed witness. The decision underscores the court’s effort to balance the efficient administration of justice with the defendant’s right to present a full defence.

The Federal High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has convicted 21 companies for operating financial investment businesses without valid licences from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The companies were prosecuted by the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Section 57(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

The companies were arraigned separately on September 15 and 16, 2026. As their representatives were absent when the charges were read, the court entered not-guilty pleas on their behalf following an application by the prosecution counsel, Nasir Umar. The trial subsequently commenced.

To support its case, the prosecution presented intelligence reports, statements from investigating officers, official correspondence, and responses obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission and the SEC. The evidence indicated that the companies had engaged in financial investment activities, including advertising investment management services, without the required regulatory approval.

The EFCC stated that the companies were investigated after intelligence linked them to investment fraud and unlawful financial operations. Their promoters were invited for questioning in December 2022 and January 2023 but allegedly failed to appear. The Commission further claimed that the promoters avoided interrogation for several years.

Justice Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa found the companies guilty and sentenced each to a fine of N30 million. The court also ordered each company to pay an additional N200,000 for every day the offence was committed. The judgment underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and the legal consequences of operating financial businesses without proper licences.

Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has disclosed that online bullying influenced her decision to publicly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the last presidential election. Speaking during an interview with Chude, she criticised Nigerians for attacking individuals because of their political choices.

Akintola explained that the backlash directed at veteran actress Joke Silva for supporting Tinubu particularly affected her. Describing the criticism as harsh and inhumane, she decided to declare her own support for Tinubu despite the possibility of further attacks.

The actress condemned the growing intolerance surrounding political discussions in Nigeria. She argued that citizens have the right to hold different opinions and support candidates of their choice without being harassed or insulted.

Her comments highlight the need for maturity and respect in political discourse. Democracy depends on the freedom to express diverse views, and disagreement should not result in bullying or personal attacks. Nigerians should therefore learn to engage in political discussions constructively while respecting the choices of others.