Court Strikes Out Ned Nwoko’s Cyberbullying Case Against Sowore

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the cyberbullying case involving activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore following the failure of the prosecution to appear in court.

The case, which had been ongoing for about four years, was linked to a complaint concerning comments and reports about Senator Ned Nwoko and his foundation’s campaign to eradicate mosquitoes in Africa.

Justice Emeka Nwite struck out the matter after the prosecution failed to appear before the court, bringing the long-running case to an end and resulting in Sowore’s discharge.

Reacting to the development, Sowore described the outcome as the end of what he called the “Mosquito Trial”, declaring that “we won.”

According to Sowore, the case began in 2022 when he was arrested following a cybercrime complaint linked to Nwoko.

He said the allegations arose from a report published by SaharaReporters concerning Nwoko’s foundation and its widely publicised campaign to eradicate mosquitoes in Africa.

Sowore said he was accused of cyberbullying Nwoko and of suggesting that donors could be deceived through the mosquito-eradication project.

He maintained that his comments were based on questions about the feasibility of the campaign, particularly whether mosquitoes could be eradicated around Nwoko’s residence in Abuja before attempting to eliminate them across Africa.

“That question landed me in court,” Sowore said.

The activist said he remained firm throughout the four-year legal proceedings despite what he described as attempts to intimidate him.

He argued that journalism, criticism and legitimate questions should not be turned into criminal offences.

Sowore welcomed the court’s decision, saying it marked the end of a legal battle that had followed him for years.

“Four years later, the mosquito has finally been swatted,” he said.

He added that truth might be delayed but could not be permanently buried.

What You Need to Know

• The case began in 2022: The legal battle followed a complaint connected to comments and reports concerning Ned Nwoko and his foundation’s mosquito-eradication campaign.
• Sowore was the defendant: The activist and publisher faced allegations relating to cyberbullying over comments concerning Nwoko and the mosquito-eradication project.
• The case lasted about four years: Proceedings continued from 2022 until the Federal High Court’s decision in October 2026.
• The prosecution failed to appear: The case was struck out after the prosecution did not appear before Justice Emeka Nwite.
• Sowore was discharged: The court’s decision brought the particular case to an end, with Sowore discharged.
• It was not a full trial judgment: The case was struck out rather than determined after a full trial on the evidence. Therefore, “struck out” should not be confused with an acquittal following a trial.
• Why it was called the “Mosquito Trial”: The description comes from Sowore and refers to the case’s connection with Nwoko’s mosquito-eradication campaign.

Sowore ended his reaction to the development by declaring: “We won.”

The development effectively brings the four-year legal battle in the Federal High Court to a close, subject to any further legal steps that may arise.