Former presidential aide and writer, Reno Omokri, has reacted to claims by activist Omoyele Sowore’ lawyer during his trial in court. The latter’ lawyer had recounted Reno’ clearance by the Department of State Services despite negative remarks he made in the past against President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore’ lawyer, Mr Abubakar Marshal had during his trial on January 27, 2026 at the Abuja Federal High Court, pointed out how Omokri was cleared for an ambassadorial appointment despite tagging Tinubu as a “drug lord” on national television.
Responding to this, Reno Omokri stated that he nade such negative comments about the president previously, but withdrew them publicly when he discovered that they are untrue. He stated that Sowore can’t rely on statements he withdrew.
His words,
“With regard to the claims made by Mr Omoyele Sowore and his counsel, Mr Abubakar Marshal, in court on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, I do freely admit that I did make uncomplimentary remarks about the then Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, while believing those comments to be true at the time I uttered them”.
“Subsequent to making those statements, I discovered that they were not, in fact, true, and I publicly withdrew them in writing and on video at various times and through multiple platforms.”
“On the day that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria… I released a statement affirming him as President of Nigeria and urging members of the public to put the past behind them and give him their full support”.
“In that judgment, the honourable court declared that there were no criminal charges or convictions against the President.
“Based on that verdict, my stance on the statements I had made against the President had changed: not only was it wrong, but I fully believed it was fallacious.”
“I admitted to the Nigerian public and the world at large during a live broadcast that I was wrong about those statements I made about the then-candidate.”
“I flew into Nigeria from my home in California, and apologised to him in person, prostrating flat on the ground”.
“Therefore, Mr Sowore cannot rely on statements I made between 2022 and 2023, and then publicly withdrew in 2023, as a defence for statements he made in August 2025.
“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.”
“I again affirm today… that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not, has never been, and will never be a drug lord.
“I make these statements voluntarily, freely and of my own volition… and I am fully prepared to testify to the above under oath in court”.