Jun 23, 2026

DSS Fires Back: Sowore Remand Is Court Order, Not Agency Hunt

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in world

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Abuja, Nigeria – June 23, 2026—In a move that has ignited passionate debate across Nigeria’s political and civil society landscape, the Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a detailed clarification on the high-profile remand of activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore at Kuje Correctional Centre following dramatic scenes at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, June 22.

The official statement, released Tuesday by Deputy Director of Public Relations Favour Dozie, addresses widespread public concern over footage showing Sowore in an apparent altercation with correctional officials and a scuffle involving DSS operatives.

Notably, Sowore ultimately chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than a standard Correctional Service transport, adding to the confusion and scrutiny of the incident.

Background: From Social Media Post to Courtroom Drama

The roots of the case trace back to August 25, 2025, when Sowore posted on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “this criminal” who had claimed there was “NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria” during a trip to Brazil.

The DSS responded not with an immediate arrest but with a formal letter on September 4, 2025, demanding a retraction within one week—consistent with the agency’s stated preference under its current Director General for dialogue and judicial processes over force.

When no retraction came, the DSS filed charges under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025, seeking judicial interpretation of Sowore’s statements as potential cyberbullying and disparagement of the President.

In a notable display of leniency, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition—without sureties—at the start of proceedings, a development the DSS did not oppose and which Sowore himself reportedly applauded.

However, subsequent court processes, including alleged violations of bail conditions and failure to appear, led to the revocation of his bail and the Monday remand order by Justice Mohammed Umar.

Agency’s Defense: Rule of Law and Professionalism

The DSS emphasizes that the remand stems entirely from court decisions, not agency action. “The Service neither arrested nor opposed his bail,” the statement stresses. It highlights a pattern of restraint in similar cases:

- With Prof. Pat Utomi’s “Shadow Government,” the DSS sought court clarification without arrests; the court ruled it unconstitutional.

- In disputes involving false reports on alleged invasions of the Lagos State House of Assembly and National Assembly, the agency demanded public apologies rather than detentions, later withdrawing charges after redress.

- DSS operatives successfully sued SERAP for defamation and won.

Director General has ordered an immediate internal investigation into the conduct of operatives involved in Monday’s events, underscoring the agency’s commitment to accountability even amid provocation.

The Human and Political Angles

Sowore, a longtime vocal critic of successive Nigerian administrations and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has framed the events as part of a broader pattern of suppression.

Supporters gathered outside the court, protesting what some described as heavy-handed tactics by masked DSS operatives.

Sowore himself reportedly told those present he was prepared for prison and would continue mobilizing from there.

Critics of the government see the case as emblematic of shrinking civic space and concerns over free speech ahead of future elections.

Others, including many responding to the DSS statement, argue that actions have consequences and that no individual is above the law—especially when it involves direct attacks on the nation’s leadership.

The incident echoes Sowore’s history of legal entanglements with security agencies, yet the DSS points to its track record of preferring legal avenues as evidence of evolving professionalism under the current leadership.

Broader Implications

This episode raises timeless questions in Nigeria’s democracy: Where is the line between robust criticism, cyberbullying, and threats to public order?

How can institutions balance national security with individual rights and free expression?

And in an era of viral videos and polarized social media, how do we separate facts from narratives designed to inflame?

The court has adjourned to June 24 for further hearings on Sowore’s motions. As Nigerians watch closely, the DSS’s assurance of “sustained priority to professionalism, with emphasis on civility” will be tested — not just in this case, but in how the nation navigates dissent in turbulent times.

For now, Sowore remains in Kuje; the courts hold the immediate next steps, and the DSS has drawn a firm line: This is about due process, not persecution. Whether the public accepts that framing may define the next chapter in this ongoing saga.