On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the legal team representing Mr Sowore tendered a video exhibit featuring Omokri’s past remarks, including a 2023 interview in which he described President Tinubu as a “drug lord.” The video was admitted into evidence by Justice Mohammed Umar, adding dramatic tension to an already high‑profile trial.
But what followed next has made headlines across Nigeria: rather than resist or rationalise those past comments, Omokri reversed his stance — not just partially, but fully and publicly.
From Accusations to Apology: What Reno Omokri Admitted
In the statement released following the court’s proceedings, Omokri explicitly acknowledged that he once made “uncomplimentary remarks” about the then‑presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) — now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — believing them to be true at the time. He said that he later discovered those claims were not accurate, and therefore withdrew them publicly in multiple formats, including written and video statements.
According to multiple verified news reports:
Omokri admitted that, upon discovering his statements were untrue, he retracted them publicly through various media platforms.
He reaffirmed his belief in President Tinubu’s legitimacy on May 29, 2023, the day Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s President, urging Nigerians to “put the past behind them” and support the new administration.
Omokri reiterated this stance on October 26, 2023, the same day the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled in favour of Tinubu’s election victory, dismissing petitions from opposition candidates including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
In that Supreme Court verdict, the court reaffirmed that there were no criminal charges or convictions against President Tinubu, effectively undermining the foundation of many earlier allegations circulating in media and political commentary.
Public and Private Acts of Accountability
Beyond public statements, Omokri took further steps that are unusual in Nigeria’s often heated political sphere:
1. Live Media Apologies:
On October 28, 2023, Omokri appeared on TVC and praised the Supreme Court’s judgment, describing it as lawful and just.
On March 27, 2025, he appeared on Newscentral Television to state that President Tinubu had been “exonerated” — a carefully chosen legal word he explained was used to reflect a judicial absolution of wrongdoing.
On June 11, 2025, Omokri went further, publicly admitting he was wrong about his previous statements and had relied on false media sources when making them.
2. Personal Apology to President Tinubu:
In a remarkable display of contrition, Omokri flew from his home in California to Nigeria on October 1, 2024, where he met with President Tinubu privately and prostrated before him, expressing regret and clarifying that his past statements were made in error, not with ill intent.
These actions — combining public media appearances and private diplomatic gestures — have been widely reported and discussed in Nigerian media.
The Legal Dimension: Omokri’s Argument Against His Former Statements
Omokri’s latest statement also draws on legal principles often cited in evidence law. Specifically, he referenced the rule against hearsay, arguing that:
> “Former oral or written statements by any person… may not be given in evidence if the purpose is to tender them as evidence of the truth of the matters asserted.”
This principle, articulated in legal texts such as Phipson on Evidence, and upheld by common law jurisdictions including Nigeria, suggests that statements made and later retracted should not be used to prove the truth of the original matter.
Using this reasoning, Omokri has argued that Sowore cannot rely on his past comments from 2022 and 2023 as a defence for allegations made in 2025, especially given that those statements were withdrawn once he learned they were incorrect.
Political and Public Reaction
As expected, reactions to Omokri’s reversal have been mixed across Nigeria’s political and media ecosystems:
Some commentators have praised his willingness to publicly correct past statements and engage with legal norms of accountability.
Others have questioned the timing and motivations behind the reversal, given Omokri’s own political ambitions and evolving relationship with the APC administration.
Within the courtroom dynamics, this development adds a complex layer to Sowore’s defence strategy, particularly as the trial involves charges linked to social media commentary and cybercrime allegations.
This legal case has also sparked discussions about freedom of expression, political criticism, and the limits of defamation law in a democratic society.
What This Means for Nigerian Public Discourse
Omokri’s full retraction and apology is a rare public example of a high‑profile commentator walking back past claims — especially where those claims involved allegations against a sitting president. The way he has framed his reversal underscores key themes:
The importance of evidence‑based commentary in politics
The role of the judiciary in settling contentious political disputes
The need for public figures to correct misinformation once better information emerges
In a nation where political debate can quickly escalate into personal attacks and unverified claims, this episode highlights the value of accountability and responsibility in public discourse.
Conclusion
Reno Omokri’s statement following the comments made by Omoyele Sowore and his legal team in court represents more than just a legal defence — it is a personal and public reckoning that intersects law, politics, and media ethics in Nigeria.
By openly admitting his earlier statements were made in error, publicly withdrawing them, apologising repeatedly, and even citing legal evidence principles, Omokri has set a precedent for accountability in public advocacy and political commentary.
Whether one agrees with his political choices or not, this episode serves as a powerful case study on how truth, law, and personal conviction can converge in the high‑stakes arena of national politics.
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