The DSS investigated the agent’s behavior towards Sowore in court

The Director General of the Department of Foreign Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into the alleged conduct of officers involved in the incident at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday.

In a video shared across social media platforms on Tuesday, armed DSS officials were seen engaging in a scuffle with Omoyele Sowore, whom they forcibly took out of the courthouse, while blocking his supporters with their weapons.

Responding to public outcry following the incident, Favor Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the Service, said DSS noted the incident with concern, hence the need for an investigation.

Dozie in a statement, noted that there was a need to set the record straight, as Sowore “curiously chose a DSS vehicle over a vehicle belonging to the Correctional Service”, following a dispute with officials from the Correctional Service.

Dozie went back to the origins of the court case involving Sowore, and why DSS prosecuted him, stating, “On August 25, 2025, Omoyele Sowore, made a post on his personal X and Facebook accounts, where he stated “this criminal actually went to Brazil to declare that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. How dare to lie so shamelessly.” Thus belittling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and embellishing his statements. Instead of making arrests, the Department through a letter dated September 4 2025 demanded revocation within one week. This is in line with the DSS’s current practice of resolving these issues without the use of force, which otherwise would require judicial interpretation.”

The report referred to previous and similar issues, mentioning “notably, in the case of Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government, the Service sought a judicial explanation even without any arrests or invitations. The Federal High Court later declared the Shadow Government unconstitutional. In addition, the false publication of the invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly by Service officers and a similar report by the Order Paper, which alleged barricades at the National Assembly Complex, the Service demanded a public apology rather than arrest anyone in both cases. It was noted that the DSS dropped all charges as soon as the defaulting media redressed loss.

“In a similar manner, two officers of the Service sought legal redress and won their case against SERAP for defamation and defamation for their false warning of an invasion carried out by these officers. In this case too, the Court rendered a decision in favor of the officers. In all these matters, the Agency maintains cleanliness and compliance with the rule of law.

“Therefore, in line with SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999, made under the NSA Act of 1986, the Service filed suit against Sowore for violating section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 in the suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 to seek judicial interpretation of his rights or otherwise to belittle and cyberbully President. The public may wish to take note that, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition without even bail at the start of the trial, a position that was not opposed by the Service and Sowore even praised the development.

“From the above, it is clear that the issues that led to the revocation of his bail and subsequent detention were based entirely on court proceedings, as the Service neither arrested nor contested his bail. DSS therefore ensures a continued priority on professionalism, with an emphasis on civility in its operations, even when faced with provocation.”