Alleged cybercrime: DSS pushes to delay Sowore’s prosecution until after 2027 presidential election

Alleged cybercrime: DSS pushes to delay Sowore’s prosecution until after 2027 presidential election

By Gabriel Kekong

(Core Reporters) – The Department of State Services (DSS) has instructed its private lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) to seek an adjournment in the alleged cyberbullying case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the presidential elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The DSS had approached the court to determine whether Sowore’s August 25, 2025 posts on his X handle and Facebook page, in which he referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal”, amounted to cyberbullying.

The secret police also ordered that cases involving competitors for other elective positions be examined accordingly.

According to the DSS, the case involving Sowore was initiated to seek judicial interpretation on whether President Tinubu, or any other individual, should be arbitrarily described as a “criminal”. The agency said the issue was similar to its previous approach to the court on the legality of the “shadow government” proposed by Professor Pat Utomi.

In a September 6, 2025 letter to the president of Meta Corp, the DSS said that, in addition to protecting the president from physical threats, it also has the power by law to protect him from psychological attacks.

Following Sowore’s posts, the DSS gave him seven days to remove them. After the ultimatum expired and he refused to remove the posts, the agency, without inviting or arresting him, approached the court on September 16, 2025, seeking judgment.

However, a source close to DSS counsel revealed that DSS Director General Tosin Ajayi met with senior counsel and senior officials from the agency’s legal directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on campaigning.

The meeting, according to the source, considered the possibility of seeking an adjournment of the case to allow Sowore to fully exercise his right to contest the next presidential election.

“The DSS chief reportedly told the senior lawyer and his legal services directorate that, with the commencement of presidential campaigns, it would be right to adjourn the court case to allow Sowore to fully participate in the next elections without impediment or hindrance,” the source said.

The source added that the DSS management considered the postponement proposal reasonable because the case had already been in court for almost a year.

“The DSS head told the lawyers that since the matter had been in court for almost a year, suspending it for another few months would not make much difference,” the source added.

The source also revealed that the DSS is expected to formally communicate its position to the Federal High Court from Monday 14 September 2026, when the court is expected to resume normal sittings following the annual judicial vacancy.

The agency is expected to seek the court’s indulgence for the adjournment, while other cases involving political candidates are under review, the source said.

When contacted, AT Kehinde, SAN, confirmed the position, saying it was consistent with the “civilized approach” of the current DSS Director General, who, he said, is committed to ensuring a level playing field and equal opportunities for all competitors.

“We will seek the court’s indulgence for the adjournment,” Kehinde said.