FG SUBMITS OMOKRI’S MEDIA INTERVIEWS AS EVIDENCE

FG SUBMITS OMOKRI’S MEDIA INTERVIEWS AS EVIDENCE IN SOWORE CYBERSTALKING TRIAL
Federal Government lists televised interviews, online publications, and electronic materials involving Reno Omokri as part of its evidence in the ongoing cyberstalking case against activist Omoyelé Sowore.

1. Federal Government’s New Evidence Filing
   The Federal Government, as complainant in the Federal High Court in Abuja, has filed a Notice of Additional List of Documents indicating it intends to rely on a series of televised interviews and published reports featuring Bemigho Reno Omokri as documentary evidence in the criminal case against human rights activist and publisher Omoyélé Sowore.
2. Nature of the Case Against Sowore
   Sowore is facing a two-count amended charge of alleged cyberstalking against President Bola Tinubu, grounded in alleged online posts where he described the President as a “criminal.” The prosecution argues these statements constitute cyberstalking under Nigerian law. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
3. Items Listed as Evidence
   Prosecutors listed the following materials in the additional evidence:
   Two television interviews granted by Reno Omokri — broadcast on News Central Television and Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
   Published reports from Vanguard and Punch newspapers, published in December 2025 and January 2026.
   A USB flash drive containing electronic copies of these materials.
   A Certificate of Compliance under Section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011, required for admissibility of electronically generated evidence in Nigerian courts.
4. Certification of Electronic Evidence
   In a sworn certificate dated January 29, 2026, Omokri describing himself as a lawyer, investor and author certified the origin, authenticity and integrity of the electronic materials. He attested that the interviews and articles were downloaded from YouTube and online news sites using his Hewlett Packard computer and printed on his Sharp printer, and that the digital and printed copies were identical.
5. Service of Documents to Sowore
   An Affidavit of Service filed by counsel to the Federal Government confirmed that Sowore was personally served with the Notice of Additional Documents, the Summary of Witness Statement of Reno Omokri, the Certificate of Compliance, and a Notice of Additional Witnesses on February 3, 2026.
6. Focus of Prosecution Strategy
   The inclusion of media interviews and online publications as core exhibits underscores the prosecution’s emphasis on placing public statements circulating in the media particularly those involving Omokri under judicial scrutiny in arguing that Sowore’s online conduct crossed legal boundaries.
   The proceedings stem from a charge accusing Sowore of using his social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to publish statements that the Federal Government claims could cause public disorder and defame President Tinubu. The case has been in progress at the Federal High Court in Abuja since late 2025, following Sowore’s re-arraignment on amended charges.
   Under Section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011, electronic documents such as downloaded interviews and online publications must meet specific criteria before being admissible in court; hence the inclusion of a Certificate of Compliance. This procedural step ensures that digital materials the prosecution intends to rely on are formally recognised as legitimate evidence.
   Separately, some of the video evidence involving Omokri reportedly includes his past remarks referring to President Tinubu in critically charged language including claims of wrongdoing which Sowore’s defence has sought to use strategically during trial proceedings. Observers note that Omokri later publicly retracted some of these statements and clarified his position, stating he was misled by incorrect media reports at the time.
   The prosecution’s move to introduce media interviews and online articles into legal proceedings reflects a broader trend in Nigerian courts where public discourse and media statements intersect with criminal liability especially in politically sensitive cases involving high-profile activists.
   This case highlights the growing importance of adherence to electronic evidence standards in Nigerian trials, as digital communications, social media posts and online content increasingly shape legal narratives and outcomes.

• The Federal Government has formally listed Reno Omokri’s televised interviews, online publications and electronic copies as evidence in the cyberstalking trial of Omoyélé Sowore.
• Evidence includes interviews on News Central Television and Channels Television, reports from Vanguard and Punch, a USB flash drive, and a Certificate of Compliance under the Evidence Act
• Sowore denies the amended cyberstalking charge, and the matter continues before the Federal High Court in Abuja.