TDThe Department of State Services (DSS) has defended its handling of the case involving activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, insisting that the charges against him arose from due legal processes and not an attempt to suppress dissent.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the agency responded to public concerns over events at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22, 2026, which culminated in Sowore’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The DSS also announced that its Director-General had ordered an immediate investigation into the conduct of operatives involved in an altercation captured on video during the court proceedings.
The agency noted that while Sowore was eventually remanded, he “curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service” following the incident.
According to the DSS, the case originated from a social media post made by Sowore on August 25, 2025, in which he accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lying about corruption in Nigeria during a visit to Brazil.
Rather than arresting him immediately, the Service said it issued a letter on September 4, 2025, demanding a retraction within one week.
It explained that the move reflected the current leadership’s preference for resolving disputes through non-confrontational means before seeking judicial interpretation where necessary.
The agency cited previous cases involving political economist Pat Utomi and media organizations accused of publishing false reports concerning DSS operations.
In those instances, it said, the Service pursued court action or sought public apologies rather than arrests, withdrawing charges once corrections were made.
The DSS further stated that Sowore was charged under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, through suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025, seeking judicial clarification on whether his comments amounted to cyberbullying and disparagement of the President.
The agency emphasized that it did not oppose Sowore’s bail application and that he was initially granted bail on self-recognizance without a surety.
According to the DSS, the revocation of that bail and his subsequent remand were consequences of court proceedings rather than any action taken by the Service.
Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and the rule of law, the agency said it would continue to prioritize civility in its operations while awaiting the outcome of the internal investigation into the June 22 courtroom incident.
